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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
10.68.2910.68.31

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.68.30

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.68.29inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

द‍ृष्ट्वा कुरूणां दौ:शील्यं श्रुत्वावाच्यानि चाच्युत: ।

अवोचत् कोपसंरब्धो दुष्प्रेक्ष्य: प्रहसन् मुहु: ॥ ३० ॥

dṛṣṭvā kurūnāṁ dauḥśīlyaṁ

śrutvāvācyāni cācyutaḥ

avocat kopa-saṁrabdho

duṣprekṣyaḥ prahasan muhuḥ

Translation

Seeing the bad character of the Kurus and hearing their nasty words, the infallible Lord Balarāma became filled with rage. His countenance frightful to behold, He laughed repeatedly and spoke as follows.

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 Responds to Disrespect

  1. 1

    Lord Balarāma saw the Kurus’ bad character and heard their nasty words.

  2. 2

    The translation describes Him as infallible even as He became filled with rage.

  3. 3

    His countenance became frightful, and He laughed repeatedly before speaking. The Kurus’ conduct met a forceful response from 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 68: The Marriage of Sāmba

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

The Kauravas honored Balarāma with rituals and items of respect, but when He conveyed Ugrasena’s demand that they release Sāmba, they became angry. “It is very amazing,” they said, “that the Yādavas are trying to give orders to the Kauravas.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.68
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. dṛṣṭvāseeing
  2. kurūṇāmof the Kurus
  3. dauḥśīlyamthe bad character
  4. śrutvāhearing
  5. avācyāniwords not to be spoken
  6. caand
  7. acyutaḥinfallible Lord Balarāma
  8. avocatHe said
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

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 10.68

    In this verse: “hearing”, “heard”

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 careful about words that express disrespect toward the Lord?

Practice

Reflect for a moment on the description of Lord Balarāma as infallible, and read His response respectfully.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord Responds to DisrespectThis 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 10.68.30? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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