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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
10.72.3710.72.39

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.72.38

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

इत्थं तयो: प्रहतयोर्गदयोर्नृवीरौ

क्रुद्धौ स्वमुष्टिभिरय:स्परशैरपिष्टाम् ।

शब्दस्तयो: प्रहरतोरिभयोरिवासी-

न्निर्घातवज्रपरुषस्तलताडनोत्थ: ॥ ३८ ॥

itthaṁ tayoḥ prahatayor gadayor nṛ-vīrau

kruddhau sva-muṣṭibhir ayaḥ-sparaśair apiṣṭām

śabdas tayoḥ praharator ibhayor ivāsīn

nirghāta-vajra-paruṣas tala-tāḍanotthaḥ

Translation

Their clubs thus ruined, those great heroes among men angrily pummeled each other with their iron-hard fists. As they slapped each other, the sound resembled the crash of elephants colliding or harsh thunderclaps.

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.

The Battle Continues with Iron-Hard Fists

  1. 1

    Although their clubs were ruined, the two great heroes continued fighting.

  2. 2

    They angrily pummeled each other with their iron-hard fists.

  3. 3

    The sound of their slaps resembled elephants colliding or harsh thunderclaps.

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:

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. Lord Kṛṣṇa then split a small tree branch in half, thus showing Bhīma how to kill Jarāsandha.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.72
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. itthamin this manner
  2. tayoḥtheir
  3. prahatayoḥbeing ruined
  4. gadayoḥthe clubs
  5. nramong human beings
  6. vīrauthe two great heroes
  7. kruddhauangry
  8. svatheir own
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

What do you notice about the fighters’ intensity after their weapons were ruined?

Practice

Reread the verse and identify what changed in the fighting and what remained the same.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Battle Continues with Iron-Hard FistsThis 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 10.72.38? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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