1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 10 · The Summum Bonum · 90 chapters

123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536373839404142434445464748495051525354555657585960616263646566676869707172737475767778798081828384858687888990

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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 76: The Battle Between Śālva and the Vṛṣṇis
10.76.2910.76.31

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.76.30

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.76.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

किं नु वक्ष्येऽभिसङ्गम्य पितरौ रामकेशवौ ।

युद्धात्सम्यगपक्रान्त: पृष्टस्तत्रात्मन: क्षमम् ॥ ३० ॥

kiṁ nu vakṣye ’bhisaṅgamya

pitarau rāma-keśavau

yuddhāt samyag apakrāntaḥ

pṛṣṭas tatrātmanaḥ kṣamam

Translation

“What will I say to My fathers, Rāma and Keśava, when I return to Them after having simply fled the battle? What can I tell Them that will befit My honor?

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.

Answering Honorably Before His Elders

  1. 1

    Pradyumna wondered what He could say to Rāma and Keśava when He returned from battle.

  2. 2

    He wanted an answer befitting His honor, rather than merely an explanation for having left.

  3. 3

    The purport explains that Pradyumna uses pitarau, “fathers,” loosely. Lord Balarāma was actually His uncle.

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 76: The Battle Between Śālva and the Vṛṣṇis

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

When Pradyumna, Sātyaki and the other Yadu heroes saw the plight of Dvārakā and her residents, they went out to do battle with Śālva’s forces. Pradyumna, the best of warriors, destroyed with His divine weapons all of Śālva’s illusory magic, and He also bewildered Śālva himself.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.76
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. kimwhat
  2. nuthen
  3. vakṣyewill I say
  4. abhisaṅgamyameeting
  5. pitarauwith My fathers
  6. rāma-keśavauBalarāma and Kṛṣṇa
  7. yuddhātfrom the battle
  8. samyakaltogether
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

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 10.76

    In this verse: “fathers”

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

Could I honestly explain my handling of a responsibility to someone I respect?

Practice

Review one commitment today and take a step you could honestly account for to a respected elder.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayAnswering Honorably Before His EldersThis 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 10.76.30? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories