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Canto 10 · The Summum Bonum · 90 chapters

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How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
  2. 2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
  3. 3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
  4. 4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
  5. 5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
  6. 6Write down what touched you. Note the main points in your own notebook.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.59.20

Who is speaking and story frame

द‍ृष्ट्वा विद्रावितं सैन्यं गरुडेनार्दितं स्वकं ।

तं भौम: प्राहरच्छक्त्या वज्र: प्रतिहतो यत: ।

नाकम्पत तया विद्धो मालाहत इव द्विप: ॥ २० ॥

dṛṣṭvā vidrāvitaṁ sainyaṁ

garuḍenārditaṁ svakaṁ

taṁ bhaumaḥ prāharac chaktyā

vajraḥ pratihato yataḥ

nākampata tayā viddho

mālāhata iva dvipaḥ

Translation

Seeing his army driven back and tormented by Garuḍa, Bhauma attacked him with his spear, which had once defeated Lord Indra’s thunderbolt. But though struck by that mighty weapon, Garuḍa was not shaken. Indeed, he was like an elephant hit with a flower garland.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

From Canto 10, chapter 14 onward, the translation and purports were completed by Śrīla Prabhupāda's disciples after his departure, and published by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Garuḍa Remains Unshaken

  1. 1

    Seeing Garuḍa drive back and torment his army, Bhauma attacked him with his spear.

  2. 2

    This mighty spear had once defeated Lord Indra’s thunderbolt, yet it did not shake Garuḍa.

  3. 3

    The blow was like a flower garland striking an elephant. This comparison makes Garuḍa’s extraordinary strength clear.

How it feels

Yearning and danger → Marriage and reciprocity. A wider range of divine relationships appears.

Chapters 50–59 of Canto 10: Dvārakā, Rukmiṇī and royal rescues. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 59: The Killing of the Demon Naraka

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Naraka threw his śakti lance at Śrī Kṛṣṇa, but the weapon proved ineffective, and the Lord cut the demon’s entire army to pieces. Finally, with His sharp-edged disc Kṛṣṇa cut off Narakāsura’s head.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.59
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. dṛṣṭvāseeing
  2. vidrāvitamdriven away
  3. sainyamthe army
  4. garuḍenaby Garuḍa
  5. arditamtormented
  6. svakamhis
  7. tamhim, Garuḍa
  8. bhaumaḥBhaumāsura
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Īśānukathā · The science of God

    Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 of 10

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does the flower-garland comparison deepen your appreciation of Garuḍa’s strength?

Practice

Read the final sentence aloud once and reflect on what it means that Garuḍa was not shaken.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayGaruḍa Remains UnshakenThis verse's lesson: one practice and one question for today

Study points are short summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport on Vedabase.

Ask the BhāgavatamHave a question about SB 10.59.20? Get an answer from the verses themselves.