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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
  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 ›
Canto 10 · Chapter 61: Lord Balarāma Slays Rukmī
10.61.27-2810.61.30

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.61.29

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.61.22inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

शतं सहस्रमयुतं रामस्तत्राददे पणम् ।

तं तु रुक्‍म्यजयत्तत्र कालिङ्ग: प्राहसद् बलम् ।

दन्तान् सन्दर्शयन्नुच्चैर्नामृष्यत्तद्धलायुध: ॥ २९ ॥

śataṁ sahasram ayutaṁ

rāmas tatrādade paṇam

taṁ tu rukmy ajayat tatra

kāliṅgaḥ prāhasad balam

dantān sandarśayann uccair

nāmṛṣyat tad dhalāyudhaḥ

Translation

In that match Lord Balarāma first accepted a wager of one hundred coins, then one thousand, then ten thousand. Rukmī won this first round, and the King of Kaliṅga laughed loudly at Lord Balarāma, showing all his teeth. Lord Balarāma could not tolerate this.

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.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Mocking the Lord Is an Offense

  1. 1

    Lord Balarāma accepted wagers of one hundred, one thousand and ten thousand coins. Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī explains that these were gold coins.

  2. 2

    Rukmī won this first round, and the King of Kaliṅga laughed loudly at Lord Balarāma, showing all his teeth.

  3. 3

    The purport calls this mockery a gross offense. Lord Balarāma inwardly became quite angry and could not tolerate it.

Key points from the purport
  • Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī explains that the wagers consisted of gold coins.
  • Lord Balarāma inwardly became quite angry when He saw the gross offense of the King of Kaliṅga.

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

Conflict and affection → Devotional wonder. Divine intimacy coexists with royal duties.

Chapters 60–69 of Canto 10: Palace life, family bonds and heroic protection. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 61: Lord Balarāma Slays Rukmī

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

In the first match Rukmī defeated Baladeva, whereupon the King of Kaliṅga laughed at the Lord, displaying all his teeth. Lord Baladeva won the next match, but Rukmī refused to concede defeat.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.61
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śatamone hundred
  2. sahasramone thousand
  3. ayatamten thousand
  4. rāmaḥLord Balarāma
  5. tatrain that (match)
  6. ādadeaccepted
  7. paṇamwager
  8. tamthat
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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 10.61

    In this verse: “king”

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 10.61

    In this verse: “offense”

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

Am I careful to distinguish harmless laughter from disrespectful mockery?

Practice

Avoid one mocking remark today, especially any remark that treats the Lord disrespectfully.

Live this todayMocking the Lord Is an OffenseThis 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 10.61.29? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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