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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 66: Pauṇḍraka, the False Vāsudeva
10.66.1610.66.18

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.66.17

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.66.7inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

कृष्णस्तु तत्पौण्ड्रककाशिराजयो-

र्बलं गजस्यन्दनवाजिपत्तिमत् ।

गदासिचक्रेषुभिरार्दयद् भृशं

यथा युगान्ते हढतभुक् पृथक् प्रजा: ॥ १७ ॥

kṛṣṇas tu tat pauṇḍraka-kāśirājayor

balaṁ gaja-syandana-vāji-patti-mat

gadāsi-cakreṣubhir ārdayad bhṛśaṁ

yathā yugānte huta-bhuk pṛthak prajāḥ

Translation

But Lord Kṛṣṇa fiercely struck back at the army of Pauṇḍraka and Kāśirāja, which consisted of elephants, chariots, cavalry and infantry. The Lord tormented His enemies with His club, sword, Sudarśana disc and arrows, just as the fire of annihilation torments the various kinds of creatures at the end of a cosmic age.

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.

Kṛṣṇa Overcomes the Opposing Army

  1. 1

    Weapons came flying toward Kṛṣṇa in waves, but He counteracted them.

  2. 2

    With His club, sword, Sudarśana disc and arrows, Kṛṣṇa smashed the weapons and scattered the opposing elephants, chariots, horses and infantry.

  3. 3

    His destruction of the opposing forces is compared to the fire of devastation that burns everything to ashes during the dissolution of the universe.

Key points from the purport
  • Śrīla Prabhupāda comments as follows in Kṛṣṇa: “The soldiers on the side of King Pauṇḍraka began to shower their weapons upon Kṛṣṇa.
  • The weapons, including various kinds of tridents, clubs, poles, lances, swords, daggers and arrows, came flying in waves, and Kṛṣṇa counteracted them.
  • The elephants, chariots, horses and infantry belonging to the opposite party were scattered by the weapons of Kṛṣṇa.”

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 66: Pauṇḍraka, the False Vāsudeva

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Pauṇḍraka, seeing the Lord preparing for battle, quickly came out of the city to confront Him with his army. His friend Kāśirāja followed him, leading the rear guard.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.66
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. kṛṣṇaḥLord Kṛṣṇa
  2. tuhowever
  3. tatthat
  4. pauṇḍraka-kāśirājayoḥof Pauṇḍraka and the King of Kāśī
  5. balammilitary force
  6. gajaelephants
  7. syandanachariots
  8. vājihorses
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

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 10.66

    In this verse: “infantry”

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 Kṛṣṇa’s power affect my understanding of Him as the Supreme Personality of Godhead?

Practice

Reread the verse slowly and spend a moment acknowledging Kṛṣṇa’s supreme power.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa Overcomes the Opposing ArmyThis 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 10.66.17? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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