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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.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›
Canto 10 · Chapter 77: Lord Kṛṣṇa Slays the Demon Śālva
10.77.1610.77.19

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Texts 10.77.17-18

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śālvasince 10.77.17-18inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

यत्त्वया मूढ न: सख्युर्भ्रातुर्भार्या हृतेक्षताम् ।

प्रमत्त: स सभामध्ये त्वया व्यापादित: सखा ॥ १७ ॥

तं त्वाद्य निशितैर्बाणैरपराजितमानिनम् ।

नयाम्यपुनरावृत्तिं यदि तिष्ठेर्ममाग्रत: ॥ १८ ॥

yat tvayā mūḍha naḥ sakhyur

bhrātur bhāryā hṛtekṣatām

pramattaḥ sa sabhā-madhye

tvayā vyāpāditaḥ sakhā

taṁ tvādya niśitair bāṇair

aparājita-māninam

nayāmy apunar-āvṛttiṁ

yadi tiṣṭher mamāgrataḥ

Translation

[Śālva said:] You fool! Because in our presence You kidnapped the bride of our friend Śiśupāla, Your own cousin, and because You later murdered him in the sacred assembly while he was inattentive, today with my sharp arrows I will send You to the land of no return! Though You think Yourself invincible, I will kill You now if You dare stand before me.

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.

Śālva Insults and Threatens Kṛṣṇa

  1. 1

    Śālva insulted Lord Kṛṣṇa and accused Him of taking the bride of Śiśupāla, Śālva’s friend and Kṛṣṇa’s cousin.

  2. 2

    He also accused Kṛṣṇa of murdering Śiśupāla in the sacred assembly while Śiśupāla was inattentive. These are Śālva’s hostile words, not a neutral description.

  3. 3

    Śālva claimed that his sharp arrows would kill Kṛṣṇa and challenged Him to stand before him.

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 77: Lord Kṛṣṇa Slays the Demon Śālva

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

A moment later a man came before Lord Kṛṣṇa and, after offering Him obeisances, introduced himself as a messenger from Mother Devakī. The man informed the Lord that His father, Vasudeva, had been kidnapped by Śālva.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.77
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yatsince
  2. tvayāby You
  3. mūḍhaO fool
  4. naḥour
  5. sakhyuḥof the friend (Śiśupāla)
  6. bhrātuḥof (Your) brother (or more exactly, cousin)
  7. bhāryāthe bride
  8. hṛtātaken away
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

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 10.77

    In this verse: “friend”

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 recognizing Śālva as the speaker affect the way you understand these accusations?

Practice

Read the passage with the reminder, “These are Śālva’s accusations and threats,” rather than adopting his judgment of the Lord.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayŚālva Insults and Threatens KṛṣṇaThis 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 10.77.17-18? Get an answer from the verses themselves.