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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 10.75.39

Who is speaking and story frame

स व्रीडितोऽवाग‍्वदनो रुषा ज्वलन्

निष्क्रम्य तूष्णीं प्रययौ गजाह्वयम् ।

हाहेति शब्द: सुमहानभूत् सता-

मजातशत्रुर्विमना इवाभवत् ।

बभूव तूष्णीं भगवान् भुवो भरं

समुज्जिहीर्षुर्भ्रमति स्म यद् द‍ृशा ॥ ३९ ॥

sa vrīḍito ’vag-vadano ruṣā jvalan

niṣkramya tūṣṇīṁ prayayau gajāhvayam

hā-heti śabdaḥ su-mahān abhūt satām

ajāta-śatrur vimanā ivābhavat

babhūva tūṣṇīṁ bhagavān bhuvo bharaṁ

samujjihīrṣur bhramati sma yad-dṛśā

Translation

Humiliated and burning with anger, Duryodhana turned his face down, left without uttering a word and went back to Hastināpura. The saintly persons present loudly cried out, “Alas, alas!” and King Yudhiṣṭhira was somewhat saddened. But the Supreme Lord, whose mere glance had bewildered Duryodhana, remained silent, for His intention was to remove the burden of the earth.

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.

The Supreme Lord’s Purpose Behind His Silence

  1. 1

    Humiliated and burning with anger, Duryodhana left silently for Hastināpura with his face lowered.

  2. 2

    Those present regretted the incident, and King Yudhiṣṭhira became very sorry. Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Lord, remained silent, speaking neither against nor in favor of it.

  3. 3

    Duryodhana appeared to have been bewildered by Lord Kṛṣṇa’s supreme will. The resulting enmity between the two branches of the Kuru dynasty appeared to be part of His plan to decrease the world’s burden.

Key points from the purport
  • Śrīla Prabhupāda writes: “When Duryodhana left in such an angry mood, everyone regretted the incident, and King Yudhiṣṭhira also became very sorry.
  • It appeared that Duryodhana had been put into illusion by the supreme will of Lord Kṛṣṇa, and this was the beginning of the enmity between the two sects of the Kuru dynasty.
  • This appeared to be a part of Kṛṣṇa’s plan in His mission to decrease the burden of the world.”

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 75: Duryodhana Humiliated

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Although Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira tried to stop them, Lord Kṛṣṇa encouraged their laughter. Thoroughly embarrassed, Duryodhana left the assembly hall in a fury and immediately departed for Hastināpura.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.75
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. saḥhe, Duryodhana
  2. vrīḍitaḥembarrassed
  3. avākheld down
  4. vadanaḥwhose face
  5. ruṣāwith anger
  6. jvalanburning
  7. niṣkramyaexiting
  8. tūṣṇīmsilently
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 10.75

    In this verse: “king”

  • Viraha · Longing in separation

    Love and remembrance experienced in apparent absence. · Theme in SB 10.75

    In this verse: “cried”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 10.75

    In this verse: “favor”

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 does Kṛṣṇa’s silence here teach me about the limits of judging His intention by outward appearances?

Practice

Spend a quiet minute reflecting on the distinction between everyone’s regret and the Supreme Lord’s stated purpose.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Supreme Lord’s Purpose Behind His SilenceThis 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 10.75.39? Get an answer from the verses themselves.