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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.
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Canto 10 · Chapter 72: The Slaying of the Demon Jarāsandha
10.72.3910.72.41

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.72.40

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.72.30inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

शत्रोर्जन्ममृती विद्वाञ्जीवितं च जराकृतम् ।

पार्थमाप्याययन् स्वेन तेजसाचिन्तयद्धरि: ॥ ४० ॥

śatror janma-mṛtī vidvāñ

jīvitaṁ ca jarā-kṛtam

pārtham āpyāyayan svena

tejasācintayad dhariḥ

Translation

Lord Kṛṣṇa knew the secret of His enemy Jarāsandha’s birth and death, and also how he had been given life by the demoness Jarā. Considering all this, Lord Kṛṣṇa imparted His special power to Bhīma.

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.

Kṛṣṇa Knows and Empowers

  1. 1

    Lord Kṛṣṇa knew the secret of Jarāsandha’s birth and death, including how Jarā had given him life.

  2. 2

    The purport explains that Jarāsandha was born in two parts from two mothers. After his father discarded the parts in the forest, Jarā joined them together.

  3. 3

    Knowing how Jarāsandha had been joined, Kṛṣṇa also knew how to kill him. Considering this, He imparted His special power to Bhīma.

Key points from the purport
  • Śrīla Prabhupāda writes that Lord Kṛṣṇa “knew the mystery of the birth of Jarāsandha.
  • When his father saw that the baby was useless, he threw the two parts in the forest, where they were later found by a black-hearted witch named Jarā.
  • Knowing this, Lord Kṛṣṇa therefore also knew how to kill 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:

Lord Kṛṣṇa then split a small tree branch in half, thus showing Bhīma how to kill Jarāsandha. Bhīma threw Jarāsandha to the ground, stepped on one of his legs, seized the other with his arms and proceeded to tear him apart from his genitals to his head.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.72
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śatroḥof the enemy
  2. janmathe birth
  3. mṛtīand death
  4. vidvānknowing
  5. jīvitamthe bringing to life
  6. caand
  7. jarāby the demoness Jarā
  8. kṛtamdone
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 10.72

    In this verse: “death”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 10.72

    In this verse: “mothers”, “father”

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 does Kṛṣṇa’s knowledge and empowerment of Bhīma encourage your dependence on Him?

Practice

Before one act of devotional service today, ask Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, for strength to serve Him.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa Knows and EmpowersThis 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 10.72.40? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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