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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.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›
Canto 10 · Chapter 78: The Killing of Dantavakra, Vidūratha and Romaharṣaṇa
10.78.25-2610.78.28

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.78.27

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Balarāmasince 10.78.24inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

एतदर्थो हि लोकेऽस्मिन्नवतारो मया कृत: ।

वध्या मे धर्मध्वजिनस्ते हि पातकिनोऽधिका: ॥ २७ ॥

etad-artho hi loke ’sminn

avatāro mayā kṛtaḥ

vadhyā me dharma-dhvajinas

te hi pātakino ’dhikāḥ

Translation

The very purpose of My descent into this world is to kill such hypocrites who pretend to be religious. Indeed, they are the most sinful rascals.

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.

Religious Pretension Cannot Replace Respect for God

  1. 1

    Lord Balarāma declares that His descent is meant to eliminate hypocrites who pretend to be religious.

  2. 2

    The purport identifies such people as those who claim to be great religious leaders but do not even respect the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

  3. 3

    The Lord was not prepared to overlook Romaharṣaṇa’s offense. Religious standing does not excuse disrespect toward Him.

Key points from the purport
  • Lord Balarāma was not prepared to overlook Romaharṣaṇa’s offense.
  • The Lord had descended specifically to eliminate those who claim to be great religious leaders but do not even respect the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

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:

Wanting to do something more for the sages, Lord Baladeva promised to kill a demon named Balvala, who had been polluting their sacrificial arena. Finally, on the sages’ advice, He agreed to go on a year-long pilgrimage of all the holy places in India.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.78
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. etatfor this
  2. arthaḥpurpose
  3. hiindeed
  4. lokeinto the world
  5. asminthis
  6. avatāraḥdescent
  7. mayāby Me
  8. kṛtaḥdone
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

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

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

    In this verse: “religious”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 10.78

    In this verse: “sinful”

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 10.78

    In this verse: “offense”

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

Does my outward religious practice reflect genuine respect for the Supreme Personality of Godhead?

Practice

Before one devotional activity today, pause and consciously offer your respect to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayReligious Pretension Cannot Replace Respect for GodThis 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 10.78.27? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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