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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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.74.39

Who is speaking and story frame

भगवन्निन्दनं श्रुत्वा दु:सहं तत् सभासद: ।

कर्णौ पिधाय निर्जग्मु: शपन्तश्चेदिपं रुषा ॥ ३९ ॥

bhagavan-nindanaṁ śrutvā

duḥsahaṁ tat sabhā-sadaḥ

karṇau pidhāya nirjagmuḥ

śapantaś cedi-paṁ ruṣā

Translation

Upon hearing such intolerable blasphemy of the Lord, several members of the assembly covered their ears and walked out, angrily cursing the King of Cedi.

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.

Refusing to Hear Blasphemy

  1. 1

    Several members of the assembly found the blasphemy of the Lord intolerable.

  2. 2

    They covered their ears and walked out rather than continue listening.

  3. 3

    As they left, they angrily cursed the King of Cedi. Their response showed how deeply the insults disturbed them.

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:

But many members of the assembly covered their ears and quickly left the hall, while the Pāṇḍava brothers raised their weapons and prepared to kill Śiśupāla. Lord Kṛṣṇa stopped them from attacking, however, and instead used His Sudarśana disc to decapitate the offender.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.74
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. bhagavatof the Supreme Lord
  2. nindanamcriticism
  3. śrutvāhearing
  4. duḥsahamintolerable
  5. tatthat
  6. sabhā-sadaḥthe members of the assembly
  7. karṇautheir ears
  8. pidhāyacovering
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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 10.74

    In this verse: “king”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 10.74

    In this verse: “hearing”

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 can I refuse to listen to insults against the Lord without adding more angry words?

Practice

If you encounter blasphemy of the Lord today, quietly stop listening or leave.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRefusing to Hear BlasphemyThis 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 10.74.39? Get an answer from the verses themselves.