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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 71: The Lord Travels to Indraprastha
10.71.1610.71.18

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.71.17

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.71.11inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

बलं बृहद्ध्वजपटछत्रचामरै-

र्वरायुधाभरणकिरीटवर्मभि: ।

दिवांशुभिस्तुमुलरवं बभौ रवे-

र्यथार्णव: क्षुभिततिमिङ्गिलोर्मिभि: ॥ १७ ॥

balaṁ bṛhad-dhvaja-paṭa-chatra-cāmarair

varāyudhābharaṇa-kirīṭa-varmabhiḥ

divāṁśubhis tumula-ravaṁ babhau raver

yathārṇavaḥ kṣubhita-timiṅgilormibhiḥ

Translation

The Lord’s army boasted royal umbrellas, cāmara fans and huge flagpoles with waving banners. During the day the sun’s rays reflected brightly from the soldiers’ fine weapons, jewelry, helmets and armor. Thus Lord Kṛṣṇa’s army, noisy with shouts and clatter, appeared like an ocean stirring with agitated waves and timiṅgila fish.

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 Splendor of Kṛṣṇa’s Royal Army

  1. 1

    The Lord’s army displayed royal umbrellas, cāmara fans and huge flagpoles with waving banners.

  2. 2

    Sunlight reflected brightly from the soldiers’ fine weapons, jewelry, helmets and armor.

  3. 3

    With its shouts and clatter, Lord Kṛṣṇa’s army appeared like an ocean stirring with agitated waves and timiṅgila fish.

How it feels

War and pride → Justice and protection. The public expression of divine power comes to the foreground.

Chapters 70–79 of Canto 10: Kingship, Jarāsandha and royal challenges. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 71: The Lord Travels to Indraprastha

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Soon Lord Kṛṣṇa arrived in that city. Hearing of the Lord’s arrival, King Yudhiṣṭhira immediately came out of the city to greet Him.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.71
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. balamthe army
  2. bṛhathuge
  3. dhvajawith flagpoles
  4. paṭabanners
  5. chatraumbrellas
  6. cāmaraiḥand yak-tail fans
  7. varaexcellent
  8. āyudhawith weapons
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

How does this vivid description help me remember Lord Kṛṣṇa’s royal splendor?

Practice

Read the verse aloud once, then recall its image of the Lord’s army as a stirring ocean.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Splendor of Kṛṣṇa’s Royal ArmyThis 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 10.71.17? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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