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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
10.61.3610.61.38

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.61.37

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Rukmīsince 10.61.35inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

कलिङ्गराजं तरसा गृहीत्वा दशमे पदे ।

दन्तानपातयत् क्रुद्धो योऽहसद् विवृतैर्द्विजै: ॥ ३७ ॥

kaliṅga-rājaṁ tarasā

gṛhītvā daśame pade

dantān apātayat kruddho

yo ’hasad vivṛtair dvijaiḥ

Translation

The King of Kaliṅga, who had laughed at Lord Balarāma and shown his teeth, tried to run away, but the furious Lord quickly seized him on his tenth step and knocked out all his teeth.

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.

Mockery Meets Lord Balarāma’s Response

  1. 1

    The King of Kaliṅga had laughed at Lord Balarāma, openly showing his teeth.

  2. 2

    When he tried to flee, the furious Lord quickly seized him on his tenth step.

  3. 3

    Lord Balarāma knocked out all his teeth—the very teeth he had displayed while laughing.

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:

The King of Kaliṅga tried to flee, but Lord Baladeva seized him and knocked out all his teeth. Then the other offensive kings, their arms, thighs and heads wounded by Baladeva’s blows, fled in all directions, bleeding profusely.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.61
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. kaliṅga-rājamthe King of Kaliṅga
  2. tarasāquickly
  3. gṛhītvāseizing
  4. daśameon his tenth
  5. padestep (as he tried to run away)
  6. dantānhis teeth
  7. apātayatHe knocked out
  8. kruddhaḥangry
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”

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

Does my laughter ever express contempt rather than kindness?

Practice

Notice one opportunity to laugh at someone today, and choose not to mock them.

Live this todayMockery Meets Lord Balarāma’s ResponseThis 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 10.61.37? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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