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Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

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Canto 10 · The Summum Bonum · 90 chapters

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How to study this verse, in six steps

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

Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›

Canto 10 · Chapter 59: The Killing of the Demon Naraka

10.59.20 10.59.22

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.59.21

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.59.2-3inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

शूलं भौमोऽच्युतं हन्तुमाददे वितथोद्यम: ।

तद्विसर्गात् पूर्वमेव नरकस्य शिरो हरि: ।

अपाहरद् गजस्थस्य चक्रेण क्षुरनेमिना ॥ २१ ॥

śūlaṁ bhaumo ’cyutaṁ hantum

ādade vitathodyamaḥ

tad-visargāt pūrvam eva

narakasya śiro hariḥ

apāharad gaja-sthasya

cakreṇa kṣura-neminā

Translation

Bhauma, frustrated in all his attempts, took up his trident to kill Lord Kṛṣṇa. But even before he could release it, the Lord cut off his head with His razor-sharp cakra as the demon sat atop his elephant.

Read the purport on Vedabase.io

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.

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Kṛṣṇa Acts at Satyabhāmā’s Request

1
With all his attempts frustrated, Bhauma took up his trident to kill Lord Kṛṣṇa.
2
According to Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī, Satyabhāmā saw Bhauma raise his invincible trident and told Kṛṣṇa, “Kill him right away.”
3
Kṛṣṇa did just that. Before Bhauma could release the trident, the Lord cut off his head with His razor-sharp cakra.

Key points from the purport

According to Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī, as Bhauma raised his invincible trident, Satyabhāmā, sitting on Garuḍa with the Lord, said to Kṛṣṇa, “Kill him right away,” and Kṛṣṇa did just that.

The purport's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

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

Chapter 59: The Killing of the Demon Naraka

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Finally, with His sharp-edged disc Kṛṣṇa cut off Narakāsura’s head. The earth-goddess, Pṛthivī, then approached Lord Kṛṣṇa and gave Him the various items Narakāsura had stolen.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in chapter 10.59