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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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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 77: Lord Kṛṣṇa Slays the Demon Śālva
10.77.2910.77.31

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.77.30

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 वदन्ति राजर्षे ऋषय: के च नान्विता: ।

यत् स्ववाचो विरुध्येत नूनं ते न स्मरन्त्युत ॥ ३० ॥

evaṁ vadanti rājarṣe

ṛṣayaḥ ke ca nānvitāḥ

yat sva-vāco virudhyeta

nūnaṁ te na smaranty uta

Translation

Such is the account given by some sages, O wise King, but those who speak in this illogical way are contradicting themselves, having forgotten their own previous statements.

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.

Kṛṣṇa Is Never Actually Bewildered

  1. 1

    The verse rejects an illogical account that contradicts its speakers’ own previous statements.

  2. 2

    The purport explains that it is contradictory to think Kṛṣṇa was actually bewildered by Śālva’s magic or subjected to ordinary mundane lamentation.

  3. 3

    Lord Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, transcendental and absolute. His actions must be understood without forgetting this truth.

Key points from the purport
  • If someone thinks that Lord Kṛṣṇa was actually bewildered by Śālva’s magic and that the Lord was subjected to ordinary mundane lamentation, such an opinion is illogical and contradictory, since it is well known that Lord Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, transcendental and absolute.
  • This will be further explained in the following verses.

The purport's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

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:

Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, however, could understand the magic tricks of Śālva. Thus He pierced Śālva with a shower of arrows and struck the Saubha vehicle with His club, demolishing it.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.77
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. evamso
  2. vadantisay
  3. rāja-ṛṣeO sage among kings (Parīkṣit)
  4. ṛṣayaḥsages
  5. ke casome
  6. nanot
  7. anvitāḥreasoning correctly
  8. yatsince
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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 10.77

    In this verse: “king”

  • Viraha · Longing in separation

    Love and remembrance experienced in apparent absence. · Theme in SB 10.77

    In this verse: “lamentation”

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 remembering Kṛṣṇa’s transcendental identity change your understanding of this account?

Practice

Write one sentence explaining why Kṛṣṇa’s apparent sorrow should not be understood as ordinary bewilderment.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa Is Never Actually BewilderedThis 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 10.77.30? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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