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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.
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Canto 10 · Chapter 68: The Marriage of Sāmba
10.68.410.68.6

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.68.5

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

इति कर्ण: शलो भूरिर्यज्ञकेतु: सुयोधन: ।

साम्बमारेभिरे योद्धुं कुरुवृद्धानुमोदिता: ॥ ५ ॥

iti karṇaḥ śalo bhūrir

yajñaketuḥ suyodhanaḥ

sāmbam ārebhire yoddhuṁ

kuru-vṛddhānumoditāḥ

Translation

After saying this and having their plan sanctioned by the senior member of the Kuru dynasty, Karṇa, Śala, Bhūri, Yajñaketu and Suyodhana set out to attack Sāmba.

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.

Bhīṣma Sets Limits on Punishment

  1. 1

    Karṇa, Śala, Bhūri, Yajñaketu and Suyodhana set out to attack Sāmba with the Kuru elder’s permission.

  2. 2

    Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura identifies this elder as Bhīṣma. Bhīṣma reasoned that, because Sāmba had touched the maiden, Sāmba must become her husband.

  3. 3

    Bhīṣma permitted them to arrest and bind Sāmba to mark his impropriety and display their prowess, but expressly forbade killing him. He also accompanied the five warriors.

Key points from the purport
  • Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura explains that the elder of the Kurus mentioned here is Bhīṣma, who gave permission to the younger men as follows: “Since this maiden has now been touched by Sāmba, she cannot take any other husband.
  • But in no case should he be killed.”
  • The ācārya also adds that Bhīṣma accompanied the five warriors mentioned in this verse.

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:

Angered, they prepared to fight, but Lord Balarāma pacified them, hoping to avoid a quarrel between the Kuru and Yadu dynasties. The Lord set off for Hastināpura, together with several brāhmaṇas and Yādava elders.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.68
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. itisaying this
  2. karṇaḥ śalaḥ bhūriḥKarṇa, Śala and Bhūri (Saumadatti)
  3. yajñaketuḥ suyodhanaḥYajñaketu (Bhūriśravā) and Duryodhana
  4. sāmbamagainst Sāmba
  5. ārebhirethey set out
  6. yoddhumto fight
  7. kuru-vṛddhaby the elder of the Kurus (Bhīṣma)
  8. anumoditāḥsanctioned
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

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 correcting wrongdoing, do I set limits on my response?

Practice

If you need to correct someone today, state the specific problem without adding insults or threats.

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 todayBhīṣma Sets Limits on PunishmentThis 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 10.68.5? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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