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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
10.77.17-1810.77.20

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.77.19

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Supreme Lordsince 10.77.19inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

श्रीभगवानुवाच

वृथा त्वं कत्थसे मन्द न पश्यस्यन्तिकेऽन्तकम् ।

पौरुषं दर्शयन्ति स्म शूरा न बहुभाषिण: ॥ १९ ॥

śrī-bhagavān uvāca

vṛthā tvaṁ katthase manda

na paśyasy antike ’ntakam

paurusaṁ darśayanti sma

śūrā na bahu-bhāṣiṇaḥ

Translation

The Supreme Lord said: O dullard, you boast in vain, since you fail to see death standing near you. Real heroes do not talk much but rather show their prowess in action.

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.

Real Heroes Act Rather Than Boast

  1. 1

    The Supreme Lord told Śālva that his boasting was in vain.

  2. 2

    Śālva failed to see that death was standing near him.

  3. 3

    Real heroes do not talk much; they demonstrate their prowess through action.

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:

The demigods watching the battle cried out in alarm upon seeing the bow fall, while Śālva took the opportunity to insult Kṛṣṇa. Lord Kṛṣṇa then struck Śālva with His club, but the demon, vomiting blood, disappeared.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.77
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śrī-bhagavān uvācathe Supreme Lord said
  2. vṛthāin vain
  3. tvamyou
  4. katthaseboast
  5. mandaO dull one
  6. na paśyasiyou do not see
  7. antikenear
  8. antakamdeath
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

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 10.77

    In this verse: “death”

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

Where could you replace words about what you will do with a sincere act of devotional service?

Practice

Perform one small act of devotional service today without announcing it.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayReal Heroes Act Rather Than BoastThis 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 10.77.19? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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