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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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Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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
10.68.2010.68.22

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.68.21

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Balarāmasince 10.68.21inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

उग्रसेन: क्षितेशेशो यद् व आज्ञापयत् प्रभु: ।

तदव्यग्रधिय: श्रुत्वा कुरुध्वमविलम्बितम् ॥ २१ ॥

ugrasenaḥ kṣiteśeśo

yad va ājñāpayat prabhuḥ

tad avyagra-dhiyaḥ śrutvā

kurudhvam avilambitam

Translation

[Lord Balarāma said:] King Ugrasena is our master and the ruler of kings. With undivided attention you should hear what he has ordered you to do, and then you should do it at once.

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.

Hear Attentively and Act Without Delay

  1. 1

    Lord Balarāma identified King Ugrasena as their master and the ruler of kings.

  2. 2

    He instructed the Kurus to hear Ugrasena’s order with undivided attention.

  3. 3

    They were to carry out the order at once, without delay.

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. ugrasenaḥKing Ugrasena
  2. kṣitaof the earth
  3. īśaof rulers
  4. īśaḥthe ruler
  5. yatwhat
  6. vaḥof you
  7. ājñāpayathas demanded
  8. prabhuḥour master
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 10.68

    In this verse: “king”, “ruler”

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 distracts you when you need to hear an instruction carefully?

Practice

Set aside distractions while receiving one instruction today, then promptly complete the appropriate task.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHear Attentively and Act Without DelayThis 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 10.68.21? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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