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Canto 10 · The Summum Bonum · 90 chapters

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How to study this verse, in six steps

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
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

10.77.19 10.77.21

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.77.20

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

इत्युक्त्वा भगवाञ्छाल्वं गदया भीमवेगया ।

तताड जत्रौ संरब्ध: स चकम्पे वमन्नसृक् ॥ २० ॥

ity uktvā bhagavāñ chālvaṁ

gadayā bhīma-vegayā

tatāḍa jatrau saṁrabdhaḥ

sa cakampe vamann asṛk

Translation

Having said this, the furious Lord swung His club with frightening power and speed and hit Śālva on the collarbone, making him tremble and vomit blood.

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.

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Lord Acts With Frightening Power

1
After speaking, the furious Lord swung His club with frightening power and speed.
2
He struck Śālva on the collarbone.
3
The blow made Śālva tremble and vomit blood, showing the force of the Lord’s 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

Chapter 77: Lord Kṛṣṇa Slays the Demon Śālva

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Lord Kṛṣṇa then struck Śālva with His club, but the demon, vomiting blood, disappeared. A moment later a man came before Lord Kṛṣṇa and, after offering Him obeisances, introduced himself as a messenger from Mother Devakī.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in chapter 10.77