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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

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

10.77.26 10.77.28

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.77.27

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:Śālvasince 10.77.26inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

एवं निर्भर्त्स्य मायावी खड्‍गेनानकदुन्दुभे: ।

उत्कृत्य शिर आदाय खस्थं सौभं समाविशत् ॥ २७ ॥

evaṁ nirbhartsya māyāvī

khaḍgenānakadundubheḥ

utkṛtya śira ādāya

kha-sthaṁ saubhaṁ samāviśat

Translation

After he had mocked the Lord in this way, the magician Śālva appeared to cut off Vasudeva’s head with his sword. Taking the head with him, he entered the Saubha vehicle, which was hovering in the sky.

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.

Śālva Stages an Apparent Killing

1
After mocking the Lord, the magician Śālva appeared to cut off Vasudeva’s head with his sword.
2
The word “appeared” is important: the translation does not describe this as an actual killing of Vasudeva.
3
Śālva took the head with him and entered the Saubha vehicle hovering in the sky.

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:

Śālva then led forward someone who looked just like Vasudeva, decapitated him and took the head with him into his Saubha airship. Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, however, could understand the magic tricks of Śālva.

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