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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 67: Lord Balarāma Slays Dvivida Gorilla
10.67.1610.67.18

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.67.17

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

द्विविदोऽपि महावीर्य: शालमुद्यम्य पाणिना ।

अभ्येत्य तरसा तेन बलं मूर्धन्यताडयत् ॥ १७ ॥

dvivido ’pi mahā-vīryaḥ

śālam udyamya pāṇinā

abhyetya tarasā tena

balaṁ mūrdhany atāḍayat

Translation

Mighty Dvivida also came forward to do battle. Uprooting a śāla tree with one hand, he rushed toward Balarāma and struck Him on the head with the tree trunk.

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.

Strength Turned Against the Lord

  1. 1

    Mighty Dvivida came forward to fight Lord Balarāma.

  2. 2

    He uprooted a śāla tree with one hand, displaying his great strength.

  3. 3

    He rushed toward Balarāma and struck His head with the tree trunk, directing that strength against the Lord.

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:

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. Lord Baladeva, however, remained unmoved and smashed the tree trunk to pieces.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.67
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. dvividaḥDvivida
  2. apialso
  3. mahāgreat
  4. vīryaḥwhose potency
  5. śālama śāla tree
  6. udyamyalifting up
  7. pāṇināwith his hand
  8. abhyetyaapproaching
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

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

Am I using my strength to serve, or to impose myself on others?

Practice

Use your strength for one small act of service today rather than a display of power.

Live this todayStrength Turned Against 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 10.67.17? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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