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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
10.61.3710.61.39

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.61.38

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

अन्ये निर्भिन्नबाहूरुशिरसो रुधिरोक्षिता: ।

राजानो दुद्रवर्भीता बलेन परिघार्दिता: ॥ ३८ ॥

anye nirbhinna-bāhūru-

śiraso rudhirokṣitāḥ

rājāno dudravar bhītā

balena paṅghārditāḥ

Translation

Tormented by Lord Balarāma’s club, the other kings fled in fear, their arms, thighs and heads broken and their bodies drenched in blood.

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.

The Kings Flee Before Lord Balarāma

  1. 1

    The other kings were tormented by Lord Balarāma’s club.

  2. 2

    Their arms, thighs and heads were broken, and their bodies were drenched in blood.

  3. 3

    Overcome with fear, the kings fled from Lord Balarāma.

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:

Then the other offensive kings, their arms, thighs and heads wounded by Baladeva’s blows, fled in all directions, bleeding profusely. Śrī Kṛṣṇa expressed neither approval nor disapproval of His brother-in-law’s death, fearing He would jeopardize His loving ties with either Rukmiṇī or Baladeva.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.61
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. anyeothers
  2. nirbhinnabroken
  3. bāhutheir arms
  4. ūruthighs
  5. śirasaḥand heads
  6. rudhirawith blood
  7. ukṣitāḥdrenched
  8. rājānaḥkings
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

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 10.61

    In this verse: “fear”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 10.61

    In this verse: “kings”

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

What does the kings’ flight help me recognize about Lord Balarāma’s power?

Practice

Reread the verse once, pausing to reflect respectfully on Lord Balarāma’s power.

Live this todayThe Kings Flee Before Lord BalarāmaThis 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.

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