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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

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 78: The Killing of Dantavakra, Vidūratha and Romaharṣaṇa

10.78.31-32 10.78.34

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.78.33

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:The Personality of Godheadsince 10.78.33inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

श्रीभगवानुवाच

चरिष्ये वधनिर्वेशं लोकानुग्रहकाम्यया ।

नियम: प्रथमे कल्पे यावान् स तु विधीयताम् ॥ ३३ ॥

śrī-bhagavān uvāca

cariṣye vadha-nirveśaṁ

lokānugraha-kāmyayā

niyamaḥ prathame kalpe

yāvān sa tu vidhīyatām

Translation

The Personality of Godhead said: I will certainly perform the atonement for this killing, since I wish to show compassion to the people in general. Please, therefore, prescribe for Me whatever ritual is to be done first.

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.

Compassion Guides the Lord’s Example

1
The Personality of Godhead agreed to perform atonement for the killing.
2
He explained that His purpose was to show compassion to people in general.
3
He asked the sages to prescribe the ritual that should be performed first.

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 78: The Killing of Dantavakra, Vidūratha and Romaharṣaṇa

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Therefore, even though You are above the Vedic injunctions, we request You to set a perfect example for the general populace by atoning for this sin.” Then Śrī Baladeva, following the Vedic maxim that “one’s son takes birth as one’s own self,” granted to Romaharṣaṇa’s son Ugraśravā the position of speaker of the Purāṇas, and in accordance with the sages’ desires He promised Ugraśravā a long life with unfailing sensory capacity.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in chapter 10.78

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

śrī-bhagavān uvācathe Supreme Lord said
cariṣyeI will execute
vadhafor the killing
nirveśamatonement
lokafor the people in general
anugrahacompassion
kāmyayādesiring to show
niyamaḥthe regulative injunction

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
Karuṇā · Compassion
Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 10.78
In this verse: “compassion”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Am I willing to accept guidance when doing so will benefit others?

Practice

In one matter where you need to make amends, ask for guidance about a suitable first step.

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayCompassion Guides the Lord’s ExampleThis 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.

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