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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
  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.
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Canto 10 · Chapter 78: The Killing of Dantavakra, Vidūratha and Romaharṣaṇa
10.78.2310.78.25-26

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.78.24

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Balarāmasince 10.78.24inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

यस्मादसाविमान् विप्रानध्यास्ते प्रतिलोमज: ।

धर्मपालांस्तथैवास्मान् वधमर्हति दुर्मति: ॥ २४ ॥

yasmād asāv imān viprān

adhyāste pratiloma-jaḥ

dharma-pālāṁs tathaivāsmān

vadham arhati durmatiḥ

Translation

[Lord Balarāma said:] Because this fool born from an improperly mixed marriage sits above all these brāhmaṇas and even above Me, the protector of religion, he deserves to die.

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.

Balarāma Declares His Judgment

  1. 1

    Lord Balarāma identified Himself as the protector of religion.

  2. 2

    He condemned Romaharṣaṇa for sitting above the brāhmaṇas and above Him. In His rebuke, He also referred to Romaharṣaṇa’s birth from an improperly mixed marriage.

  3. 3

    Balarāma called Romaharṣaṇa foolish and declared that he deserved to die. This severe judgment is spoken by the Lord Himself.

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:

Greatly angered by this offense, Lord Balarāma killed Romaharṣaṇa by touching him with the tip of a blade of kuśa grass. The assembled sages were disturbed by what Lord Baladeva had done, and they said to Him, “You have unknowingly killed a brāhmaṇa.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.78
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yasmātbecause
  2. asauhe
  3. imānthan these
  4. viprānbrāhmaṇas
  5. adhyāsteis sitting higher
  6. pratiloma-jaḥborn from an improperly mixed marriage
  7. dharmaof the principles of religion
  8. pālānthe protector
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 10.78

    In this verse: “religion”

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 10.78

    In this verse: “protector”

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 seriously do I take showing respect to the Lord as the protector of religion?

Practice

Reread Balarāma’s words carefully, noting who speaks the judgment and how He identifies His role.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayBalarāma Declares His JudgmentThis 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 10.78.24? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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