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Canto 10 · The Summum Bonum · 90 chapters

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How to study this verse, in six steps

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
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

10.72.36 10.72.38

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.72.37

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

ते वै गदे भुजजवेन निपात्यमाने

अन्योन्यतोंऽसकटिपादकरोरुजत्रुम् ।

चूर्णीबभूवतुरुपेत्य यथार्कशाखे

संयुध्यतोर्द्विरदयोरिव दीप्तमन्व्यो: ॥ ३७ ॥

te vai gade bhuja-javena nipātyamāne

anyonyato ’ṁsa-kaṭi-pāda-karoru-jatrum

cūrṇī-babhūvatur upetya yathārka-śākhe

saṁyudhyator dviradayor iva dīpta-manvyoḥ

Translation

They swung their clubs at each other with such speed and force that as the clubs struck their shoulders, hips, feet, hands, thighs and collarbones, the weapons were crushed and broken like branches of arka trees with which two enraged elephants furiously attack each other.

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.

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Powerful Blows Shatter the Clubs

1
The fighters swung their clubs with great speed and force.
2
The clubs struck their shoulders, hips, feet, hands, thighs and collarbones.
3
The weapons were crushed and broken like branches of arka trees used by two enraged elephants attacking each other.

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

Chapter 72: The Slaying of the Demon Jarāsandha

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Thus Jarāsandha handed Bhīma a club and took up another himself, and they all went outside the city to begin the fight. After the fight had gone on for some time, it became clear that the two opponents were too equally matched for either to gain victory.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in chapter 10.72