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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 74: The Deliverance of Śiśupāla at the Rājasūya Sacrifice
10.74.13-1510.74.17

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.74.16

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.74.6inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

अयाजयन् महाराजं याजका देववर्चस: ।

राजसूयेन विधिवत् प्रचेतसमिवामरा: ॥ १६ ॥

ayājayan mahā-rājaṁ

yājakā deva-varcasaḥ

rājasūyena vidhi-vat

pracetasam ivāmarāḥ

Translation

The priests, as powerful as gods, performed the Rājasūya sacrifice for King Yudhiṣṭhira in accordance with the Vedic injunctions, just as the demigods had previously performed it for Varuṇa.

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.

Worship According to Vedic Guidance

  1. 1

    The priests performed the Rājasūya sacrifice for King Yudhiṣṭhira according to the Vedic injunctions.

  2. 2

    These sacrificial priests were as powerful as gods.

  3. 3

    Their performance followed the example of the demigods, who had previously performed this sacrifice for Varuṇa.

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 74: The Deliverance of Śiśupāla at the Rājasūya Sacrifice

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

As the sacrifice proceeded, the ritual of “first worship” had to be performed, and the members of the assembly were called upon to decide who would receive this honor. Sahadeva spoke up: “Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Lord, is indeed the most exalted person, for He Himself comprises all the deities worshiped by Vedic sacrifice.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.74
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. ayājayanthey performed the sacrifice
  2. mahā-rājamfor the great King
  3. yājakāḥthe sacrificial priests
  4. devaof demigods
  5. varcasaḥpossessing the power
  6. rājasūyenathe Rājasūya
  7. vidhi-vataccording to the prescriptions of the Vedas
  8. pracetasamVaruṇa
  9. ivaas
  10. amarāḥthe demigods
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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 10.74

    In this verse: “king”

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 carefully do I follow the guidance given for my worship?

Practice

Before your worship today, review one instruction you have received and follow it carefully.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayWorship According to Vedic GuidanceThis 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 10.74.16? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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