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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 72: The Slaying of the Demon Jarāsandha
10.72.2010.72.22

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.72.21

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Kṛṣṇa, Arjuna and Bhīmasince 10.72.18inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

हरिश्चन्द्रो रन्तिदेव उञ्छवृत्ति: शिबिर्बलि: ।

व्याध: कपोतो बहवो ह्यध्रुवेण ध्रुवं गता: ॥ २१ ॥

hariścandro rantideva

uñchavṛttiḥ śibir baliḥ

vyādhaḥ kapoto bahavo

hy adhruveṇa dhruvaṁ gatāḥ

Translation

Hariścandra, Rantideva, Uñchavṛtti Mudgala, Śibi, Bali, the legendary hunter and pigeon, and many others have attained the permanent by means of the impermanent.

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.

Use the Temporary for Enduring Benefit

  1. 1

    Kṛṣṇa and the two Pāṇḍavas gave examples of people who used temporary bodies for enduring benefit. Because Jarāsandha was a materialist, they appealed to his interest in heavenly life.

  2. 2

    Heavenly life lasts so long that it appears permanent to people on earth. The examples describe charity, hospitality, protection and renunciation leading to higher destinations.

  3. 3

    Bali Mahārāja gave all his property to Lord Hari, who appeared as Vāmanadeva, and gained the Lord’s personal association. His example directs attention to giving in service to the Lord.

Key points from the purport
  • Yet even after attaining the status of a caṇḍāla, he did not become discouraged; thus he went to heaven, together with all the inhabitants of Ayodhyā.
  • The pigeon and his mate gave their own flesh to a hunter as a show of hospitality, and thus they were taken to heaven in a celestial airplane.
  • Thus many personalities have attained enduring life on higher planets by means of the temporary material body.”

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:

As King Yudhiṣṭhira pondered how he could subdue Jarāsandha, Śrī Kṛṣṇa revealed to him the means for doing so, following the previous advice of Uddhava. 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.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.72
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. hariścandraḥ rantidevaḥHariścandra and Rantideva
  2. uñcha-vṛttiḥMudgala, who lived by gathering grains left behind in the fields after the harvest
  3. śibiḥ baliḥŚibi and Bali
  4. vyādhaḥthe hunter
  5. kapotaḥthe pigeon
  6. bahavaḥmany
  7. hiindeed
  8. adhruveṇaby the temporary
  9. dhruvamto the permanent
  10. gatāḥwent
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 10.72

    In this verse: “protection”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “materialist”

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 can I use what is temporary in my life to serve the Lord?

Practice

Offer a small portion of your time or resources today in devotional service to Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

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 10.72's connections

Live this todayUse the Temporary for Enduring BenefitThis 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 10.72.21? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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