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 72: The Slaying of the Demon Jarāsandha
10.72.1610.72.18

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.72.17

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.72.12inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

ते गत्वातिथ्यवेलायां गृहेषु गृहमेधिनम् ।

ब्रह्मण्यं समयाचेरन् राजन्या ब्रह्मलिङ्गिन: ॥ १७ ॥

te gatvātithya-velāyāṁ

gṛheṣu gṛha-medhinam

brahmaṇyaṁ samayāceran

rājanyā brahma-liṅginaḥ

Translation

Disguised as brāhmaṇas, the royal warriors approached Jarāsandha at home during the appointed hour for receiving guests. They submitted their entreaty to that dutiful householder, who was especially respectful to the brahminical class.

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.

Make Time for Hospitality and Respect

  1. 1

    Jarāsandha was a dutiful householder who greatly respected brāhmaṇas. Although a powerful kṣatriya warrior, he did not neglect Vedic injunctions.

  2. 2

    According to those injunctions, brāhmaṇas are considered the spiritual masters of all other castes.

  3. 3

    Lord Kṛṣṇa, Arjuna and Bhīmasena approached in the dress of brāhmaṇas. They arrived at the appointed time for receiving guests and giving charity.

Key points from the purport
  • Śrīla Prabhupāda writes: “King Jarāsandha was a very dutiful householder, and he had great respect for the brāhmaṇas.
  • According to Vedic injunctions, the brāhmaṇas are considered to be the spiritual masters of all other castes.
  • Lord Kṛṣṇa, Arjuna and Bhīmasena were actually kṣatriyas, but they dressed themselves as brāhmaṇas, and at the time when King Jarāsandha was to give charity to the brāhmaṇas and receive them as guests, they approached him.”

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 72: The Slaying of the Demon Jarāsandha

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Bhīma, Arjuna and Śrī Kṛṣṇa then disguised themselves as brāhmaṇas and went to the palace of Jarāsandha, who was very devoted to the brahminical class. They introduced themselves as brāhmaṇas to King Jarāsandha, flattering him by praising his reputation for hospitality, and requested him to grant their desire.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.72
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tethey
  2. gatvāgoing
  3. ātithyafor receiving uninvited guests
  4. velāyāmat the appointed hour
  5. gṛheṣuin his residence
  6. gṛha-medhinamfrom the religious householder
  7. brahmaṇyamrespectful to brāhmaṇas
  8. samayāceranbegged
  9. rājanyāḥthe kings
  10. brahma-liṅginaḥappearing with the signs of brāhmaṇas.
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 10.72

    In this verse: “householder”

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 my daily responsibilities leave room for hospitality and respect for spiritual teachers?

Practice

Make a little time today to welcome someone respectfully and attend to their needs.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayMake Time for Hospitality and RespectThis 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 10.72.17? 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