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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

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
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

10.68.37 10.68.39

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.68.38

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:Lord Balarāmasince 10.68.31inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

भुञ्जते कुरुभिर्दत्तं भूखण्डं वृष्णय: किल ।

उपानह: किल वयं स्वयं तु कुरव: शिर: ॥ ३८ ॥

bhuñjate kurubhir dattaṁ

bhū-khaṇḍaṁ vṛṣṇayaḥ kila

upānahaḥ kila vayaṁ

svayaṁ tu kuravaḥ śiraḥ

Translation

“We Vṛṣṇis enjoy only whatever small parcel of land the Kurus allow us? And we are indeed shoes, whereas the Kurus are the head?

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.

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Reject Proud Claims of Superiority

1
The speaker challenges the claim that the Vṛṣṇis enjoy only a small parcel of land granted by the Kurus.
2
He also challenges the comparison that makes the Vṛṣṇis shoes and the Kurus the head.
3
These questions reject the Kurus’ claim to a superior position; they do not accept their insulting comparison.

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

Chapter 68: The Marriage of Sāmba

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Thus He took His plow weapon and, intending to rid the earth of all the Kurus, began dragging Hastināpura toward the Ganges. Seeing that their city was in imminent danger of falling into the river, the terrified Kauravas quickly brought Sāmba and Lakṣmaṇā before Lord Balarāma and began to glorify Him.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in chapter 10.68