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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
10.67.1710.67.19-21

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.67.18

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 तु सङ्कर्षणो मूर्ध्‍नि पतन्तमचलो यथा ।

प्रतिजग्राह बलवान् सुनन्देनाहनच्च तम् ॥ १८ ॥

taṁ tu saṅkarṣaṇo mūrdhni

patantam acalo yathā

pratijagrāha balavān

sunandenāhanac ca tam

Translation

But Lord Saṅkarṣaṇa remained as motionless as a mountain and simply grabbed the log as it fell upon His head. He then struck Dvivida with His club, named Sunanda.

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 Lord Remains Unshaken

  1. 1

    Lord Saṅkarṣaṇa remained motionless like a mountain when Dvivida attacked.

  2. 2

    He simply caught the tree trunk as it fell upon His head.

  3. 3

    The powerful Lord then struck Dvivida with His club, named Sunanda.

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:

But although he struck Baladeva on the head with one tree after another, the Lord simply broke all the trees to pieces. Then the foolish ape started throwing a barrage of stones.
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 (tree trunk)
  2. tubut
  3. saṅkarṣaṇaḥLord Balarāma
  4. mūrdhnion His head
  5. patantamfalling
  6. acalaḥan unmoving mountain
  7. yathālike
  8. pratijagrāhatook hold of
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

What draws my attention in the contrast between the attack and the Lord’s steadiness?

Practice

Spend a quiet minute remembering Lord Saṅkarṣaṇa standing unshaken like a mountain.

Live this todayThe Lord Remains UnshakenThis 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 10.67.18? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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