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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 72: The Slaying of the Demon Jarāsandha
10.72.3110.72.33

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.72.32

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.72.30inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

अयं तु वयसातुल्यो नातिसत्त्वो न मे सम: ।

अर्जुनो न भवेद् योद्धा भीमस्तुल्यबलो मम ॥ ३२ ॥

ayaṁ tu vayasātulyo

nāti-sattvo na me samaḥ

arjuno na bhaved yoddhā

bhīmas tulya-balo mama

Translation

“As for this one, Arjuna, he is not as old as I, nor is he very strong. Since he is no match for me, he should not be the contender. Bhīma, however, is as strong as I am.”

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.

Jarāsandha Chooses an Equal Opponent

  1. 1

    Jarāsandha judged Arjuna to be younger than himself and not very strong.

  2. 2

    On that basis, he said Arjuna was no match for him and should not be the contender.

  3. 3

    He considered Bhīma equal to himself in strength and therefore a suitable opponent.

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:

Jarāsandha also declined to fight Arjuna on the plea that he was inferior in age and size. But Bhīma he considered a worthy opponent.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.72
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. ayamthis
  2. tuon the other hand
  3. vayasāin age
  4. atulyaḥunequal
  5. nanot
  6. atimuch
  7. sattvaḥhaving strength
  8. nanot
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

Can I distinguish someone’s personal assessment of another person from the full truth about them?

Practice

Read the verse again and note that the judgments about Arjuna and Bhīma are Jarāsandha’s own assessments.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayJarāsandha Chooses an Equal OpponentThis 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 10.72.32? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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