1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 10 · The Summum Bonum · 90 chapters

123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536373839404142434445464748495051525354555657585960616263646566676869707172737475767778798081828384858687888990

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 71: The Lord Travels to Indraprastha
10.71.510.71.7

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.71.6

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Uddhavasince 10.71.2inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

द्वैरथे स तु जेतव्यो मा शताक्षौहिणीयुत: ।

ब्राह्मण्योऽभ्यर्थितो विप्रैर्न प्रत्याख्याति कर्हिचित् ॥ ६ ॥

dvai-rathe sa tu jetavyo

mā śatākṣauhiṇī-yutaḥ

brāhmaṇyo ’bhyarthito viprair

na pratyākhyāti karhicit

Translation

He will be defeated in a match of single chariots, not when he is with his hundred military divisions. Now, Jarāsandha is so devoted to brahminical culture that he never refuses requests from brāhmaṇas.

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.

Uddhava Proposes Single Combat

  1. 1

    Although Bhīma equaled Jarāsandha in personal strength, Jarāsandha had the support of a huge army.

  2. 2

    Uddhava therefore recommended single combat, rather than fighting Jarāsandha with his hundred military divisions.

  3. 3

    Jarāsandha was devoted to brahminical culture and never refused a request from brāhmaṇas. This provided a way to obtain single combat.

Key points from the purport
  • It might be argued that since only Bhīma could equal Jarāsandha in personal strength, Jarāsandha would be more powerful when supported by his huge army.
  • But how could Jarāsandha be persuaded to give up the support of his powerful army?
  • Here Uddhava gives the clue: Jarāsandha will never refuse a request from brāhmaṇas, since he is devoted to brahminical culture.

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

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:

“King Jarāsandha can be killed only by Bhīma, and since Jarāsandha is very devoted to the brāhmaṇas, Bhīma should disguise himself as a brāhmaṇa, go to Jarāsandha and beg a fight from him. Then, in Your presence, Bhīma will defeat the demon.”
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.71
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. dvai-rathein combat involving only two chariots
  2. saḥhe
  3. tubut
  4. jetavyaḥis to be defeated
  5. mānot
  6. śataby one hundred
  7. akṣauhiṇīmilitary divisions
  8. yutaḥjoined
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

Do I consider the actual circumstances before choosing how to approach a difficulty?

Practice

For one challenge today, identify a specific obstacle before deciding how to act.

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 10.71's connections

Live this todayUddhava Proposes Single CombatThis 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 10.71.6? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories