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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
10.66.3810.66.40

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.66.39

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Kṛṣṇasince 10.66.19inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

तत् सूर्यकोटिप्रतिमं सुदर्शनं

जाज्वल्यमानं प्रलयानलप्रभम् ।

स्वतेजसा खं ककुभोऽथ रोदसी

चक्रं मुकुन्दास्‍त्रमथाग्निमार्दयत् ॥ ३९ ॥

tat sūrya-koṭi-pratimaṁ sudarśanaṁ

jājvalyamānaṁ pralayānala-prabham

sva-tejasā khaṁ kakubho ’tha rodasī

cakraṁ mukundāstraṁ athāgnim ārdayat

Translation

That Sudarśana, the disc weapon of Lord Mukunda, blazed forth like millions of suns. His effulgence blazed like the fire of universal annihilation, and with his heat he pained the sky, all the directions, heaven and earth, and also the fiery demon.

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 Blazing Power of Sudarśana

  1. 1

    Sudarśana, the disc weapon of Lord Mukunda, blazed forth like millions of suns.

  2. 2

    His effulgence resembled the fire of universal annihilation. The description conveys the overwhelming power of the Lord’s weapon.

  3. 3

    His heat pained the sky, all the directions, heaven and earth, and also the fiery demon.

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:

Just as the fire of universal devastation destroys every living being in all directions, so Lord Kṛṣṇa annihilated the armies of Pauṇḍraka and Kāśirāja. Then, after chastising Pauṇḍraka, the Lord beheaded both him and Kāśirāja with His Sudarśana disc.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.66
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tatthat
  2. sūryaof suns
  3. koṭimillions
  4. pratimamresembling
  5. sudarśanamSudarśana
  6. jājvalyamānamblazing with fire
  7. pralayaof universal annihilation
  8. anala(like) the fire
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

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 this description of Sudarśana help me appreciate about the Lord’s power?

Practice

Read the verse slowly once, giving careful attention to its description of the Lord’s weapon.

Live this todayThe Blazing Power of SudarśanaThis 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 10.66.39? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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