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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 68: The Marriage of Sāmba
10.67.2810.68.2

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.68.1

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.68.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

श्रीशुक उवाच

दुर्योधनसुतां राजन् लक्ष्मणां समितिंजय: ।

स्वयंवरस्थामहरत् साम्बो जाम्बवतीसुत: ॥ १ ॥

śrī-śuka uvāca

duryodhana-sutāṁ rājan

lakṣmaṇāṁ samitiṁ-jayaḥ

svayaṁvara-sthām aharat

sāmbo jāmbavatī-sutaḥ

Translation

Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: O King, Jāmbavatī’s son Sāmba, ever victorious in battle, kidnapped Duryodhana’s daughter Lakṣmaṇā from her svayaṁvara ceremony.

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.

Sāmba Overrides Lakṣmaṇā’s Choice

  1. 1

    A svayaṁvara ceremony allowed a girl to select her husband according to her own choice. Many princes wanted to marry the highly qualified Lakṣmaṇā.

  2. 2

    Sāmba was the son of Lord Kṛṣṇa and Jāmbavatī. His name indicates that he always remained close to his mother.

  3. 3

    Lakṣmaṇā was not inclined to accept Sāmba. Wanting her as his wife, he kidnapped her by force from the ceremony.

Key points from the purport
  • In Lakṣmaṇā’s svayaṁvara assembly, when the girl was to select her husband, Sāmba appeared.
  • Sāmba wanted the daughter of Duryodhana, Lakṣmaṇā, although she was not inclined to have him.
  • Therefore Sāmba kidnapped Lakṣmaṇā by force from the svayaṁvara ceremony.”

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 68: The Marriage of Sāmba

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Sāmba, the darling son of Jāmbavatī, kidnapped Duryodhana’s daughter Lakṣmaṇā from her svayaṁvara assembly. In response, the Kauravas joined forces to arrest him.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.68
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śrī-śukaḥ uvācaŚukadeva Gosvāmī said
  2. duryodhana-sutāmthe daughter of Duryodhana
  3. rājanO King (Parīkṣit)
  4. lakṣmaṇāmnamed Lakṣmaṇā
  5. samitim-jayaḥvictorious in battle
  6. svayaṁvarain her svayaṁvara ceremony
  7. sthāmsituated
  8. aharatstole
  9. sāmbaḥSāmba
  10. jāmbavatī-sutaḥthe son of Jāmbavatī
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 10.68

    In this verse: “king”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 10.68

    In this verse: “mother”

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

How do I respond when another person’s choice differs from my desire?

Practice

In one decision involving someone else today, ask what they want rather than assuming their agreement.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 10.68's connections

Live this todaySāmba Overrides Lakṣmaṇā’s ChoiceThis 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 10.68.1? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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