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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 78: The Killing of Dantavakra, Vidūratha and Romaharṣaṇa
10.78.1610.78.18

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.78.17

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.78.1-2inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

श्रुत्वा युद्धोद्यमं राम: कुरूणां सह पाण्डवै: ।

तीर्थाभिषेकव्याजेन मध्यस्थ: प्रययौ किल ॥ १७ ॥

śrutvā yuddhodyamaṁ rāmaḥ

kurūṇāṁ saha pāṇḍavaiḥ

tīrthābhiṣeka-vyājena

madhya-sthaḥ prayayau kila

Translation

Lord Balarāma then heard that the Kurus were preparing for war with the Pāṇḍavas. Being neutral, He departed on the pretext of going to bathe in holy places.

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.

Balarāma Departs While Remaining Neutral

  1. 1

    Lord Balarāma heard that the Kurus were preparing for war with the Pāṇḍavas. Remaining neutral, He departed on the pretext of bathing in holy places.

  2. 2

    Both Duryodhana and Yudhiṣṭhira were dear to Him. His departure avoided an awkward situation.

  3. 3

    Kṛṣṇa had put aside His weapons after killing Vidūratha. Balarāma still had to kill Romaharṣaṇa and Balvala to finish relieving the earth of her burden of demons.

Key points from the purport
  • Both Duryodhana and Yudhiṣṭhira were dear to Lord Balarāma, and so to avoid an awkward situation He departed.
  • Furthermore, after killing the demon Vidūratha, Lord Kṛṣṇa put aside His weapons, but Lord Balarāma still had to kill Romaharṣaṇa and Balvala to finish relieving the earth of her burden of demons.

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 78: The Killing of Dantavakra, Vidūratha and Romaharṣaṇa

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

When Lord Baladeva heard that the Pāṇḍavas and Kauravas were about to go to war, in order to remain neutral He left Dvārakā on the pretext of going on pilgrimage. The Lord bathed in sacred places such as Prabhāsa, Tritakūpa and Viśāla, and eventually He came to the holy Naimiṣāraṇya forest, where great sages were performing an extended fire sacrifice.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.78
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śrutvāhearing
  2. yuddhafor battle
  3. udyamamthe preparations
  4. rāmaḥLord Balarāma
  5. kurūṇāmof the Kurus
  6. sahawith
  7. pāṇḍavaiḥthe Pāṇḍavas
  8. tīrthain holy places
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

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 10.78

    In this verse: “heard”

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

What can I learn from Balarāma’s decision not to take sides between those dear to Him?

Practice

If drawn into a disagreement today, pause before taking sides and consider whether you can respectfully step back.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayBalarāma Departs While Remaining NeutralThis 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 10.78.17? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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