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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 68: The Marriage of Sāmba
10.68.14-1510.68.17

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.68.16

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The angry Kurussince 10.68.2inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

गत्वा गजाह्वयं रामो बाह्योपवनमास्थित: ।

उद्धवं प्रेषयामास धृतराष्ट्रं बुभुत्सया ॥ १६ ॥

gatvā gajāhvayaṁ rāmo

bāhyopavanam āsthitaḥ

uddhavaṁ preṣayām āsa

dhṛtarāṣṭraṁ bubhutsayā

Translation

Upon arriving at Hastināpura, Lord Balarāma remained in a garden outside the city and sent Uddhava ahead to probe King Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s intentions.

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.

Seek Understanding Before Confrontation

  1. 1

    Lord Balarāma did not enter Hastināpura but stayed in a small garden house outside the city.

  2. 2

    He sent Uddhava to discover King Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s intentions.

  3. 3

    Uddhava was to ask the Kuru leaders whether they wanted to fight the Yadu dynasty or make a settlement.

Key points from the purport
  • Śrīla Prabhupāda writes: “When Lord Balarāma reached the precincts of the city of Hastināpura, He did not enter but stationed Himself in a camp outside the city in a small garden house.
  • Then He asked Uddhava to see the leaders of the Kuru dynasty and inquire from them whether they wanted to fight with the Yadu dynasty or to make a settlement.”

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:

The party of Yādavas set up camp in a garden outside the city, and Lord Balarāma sent Uddhava to ascertain King Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s frame of mind. When Uddhava appeared in the Kaurava court and announced Lord Balarāma’s arrival, the Kauravas worshiped Uddhava and went to see the Lord, taking auspicious items to offer 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. gatvāgoing
  2. gajāhvayamto Hastināpura
  3. rāmaḥLord Balarāma
  4. bāhyaoutside
  5. upavanamin a garden
  6. āsthitaḥHe stayed
  7. uddhavamUddhava
  8. preṣayām āsaHe sent
  9. dhṛtarāṣṭramabout Dhṛtarāṣṭra
  10. bubhutsayādesiring to find out
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”

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

When a disagreement arises, do you first try to understand the other person’s intentions?

Practice

Ask one calm, clarifying question before responding to a disagreement today.

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 todaySeek Understanding Before ConfrontationThis 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 10.68.16? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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