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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 67: Lord Balarāma Slays Dvivida Gorilla
10.67.14-1510.67.17

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.67.16

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.67.2inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

तं तस्याविनयं द‍ृष्ट्वा देशांश्च तदुपद्रुतान् ।

क्रुद्धो मुषलमादत्त हलं चारिजिघांसया ॥ १६ ॥

taṁ tasyāvinayaṁ dṛṣṭvā

deśāṁś ca tad-upadrutān

kruddho muṣalam ādatta

halaṁ cāri-jighāṁsayā

Translation

Lord Balarāma saw the ape’s rude behavior and thought of the disruptions he had created in the surrounding kingdoms. Thus the Lord angrily took up His club and His plow weapon, having decided to put His enemy to death.

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.

Humility Matters Before the Lord

  1. 1

    The purport explains avinayam as “without humility.” Dvivida lacked both modesty and humility and shamelessly performed wicked activities.

  2. 2

    Lord Balarāma knew of the great disturbances Dvivida had caused to people in the surrounding kingdoms.

  3. 3

    Seeing the ape’s present rudeness as well, the Lord took up His club and plow weapon, deciding that His offensive enemy must die.

Key points from the purport
  • Dvivida, completely lacking in modesty and humility, shamelessly performed the most wicked activities.
  • Lord Balarāma knew of the great disturbances Dvivida had caused to people in general, apart from the vulgar behavior the ape was exhibiting in the Lord’s own presence.
  • The offensive ape would now have to die.

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 67: Lord Balarāma Slays Dvivida Gorilla

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Thus He took up His club and His plow weapon. Powerful Dvivida then armed himself by pulling up a śāla tree from the ground, and with this tree he struck the Lord on the head.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.67
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tamthat
  2. tasyahis
  3. avinayamrudeness
  4. dṛṣṭvāseeing
  5. deśānthe kingdoms
  6. caand
  7. tatby him
  8. upadrutāndisrupted
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 10.67

    In this verse: “death”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 10.67

    In this verse: “kingdoms”

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 10.67

    In this verse: “humility”

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

Where might a lack of humility be causing trouble for others?

Practice

Acknowledge one inconsiderate action today and offer a simple apology.

Live this todayHumility Matters Before the 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 10.67.16? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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