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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.
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Canto 10 · Chapter 66: Pauṇḍraka, the False Vāsudeva
10.66.2110.66.23

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.66.22

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Kṛṣṇasince 10.66.19inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

तथा काशिपते: कायाच्छिर उत्कृत्य पत्रिभि: ।

न्यपातयत् काशिपुर्यां पद्मकोशमिवानिल: ॥ २२ ॥

tathā kāśī-pateḥ kāyāc

chira utkṛtya patribhiḥ

nyapātayat kāśī-puryāṁ

padma-kośam ivānilaḥ

Translation

With His arrows, Lord Kṛṣṇa similarly severed Kāśirāja’s head from his body, sending it flying into Kāśī city like a lotus flower thrown by the wind.

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.

Boasting Cannot Overcome the Supreme Lord

  1. 1

    Lord Kṛṣṇa severed Kāśirāja’s head with His arrows and sent it into Kāśī, like a lotus flower carried by the wind.

  2. 2

    The King had promised the citizens that he would bring the enemy’s head into the city. His queens had also boasted that he would bring the head of the Lord of Dvārakā.

  3. 3

    Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī explains that the Supreme Lord sent the King’s own head into the city to astonish its inhabitants.

Key points from the purport
  • Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī explains why Kṛṣṇa threw Kāśirāja’s head into the city: “As he went off to battle, the King of Kāśī had promised the citizens: ‘My dear residents of Kāśī, today I will bring the enemy’s head into the midst of the city.
  • The King’s sinful queens had also boasted to their maids-in-waiting: ‘Today our master will certainly bring the head of the Lord of Dvārakā.’
  • Therefore the Supreme Lord threw the King’s head into the city to astonish the inhabitants.”

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:

When Kṛṣṇa beheaded Kāśirāja, the King’s head flew into his city, and when his queens, sons and other relatives saw it, they all began to lament. At that time a son of Kāśirāja’s named Sudakṣiṇa, wanting to avenge his father’s death, began worshiping Lord Śiva with the intention of destroying his father’s killer.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.66
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tathāsimilarly
  2. kāśī-pateḥof the King of Kāśī
  3. kāyātfrom his body
  4. śiraḥthe head
  5. utkṛtyasevering
  6. patribhiḥwith His arrows
  7. nyapātayatHe sent it flying
  8. kāśi-puryāminto the city of Kāśī
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 10.66

    In this verse: “king”, “citizens”

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 reversal of the King’s boast teach me about pride before the Supreme Lord?

Practice

Before making a boast today, pause and choose modest, truthful words instead.

Live this todayBoasting Cannot Overcome the Supreme LordThis 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 10.66.22? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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