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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
10.78.3710.78.39

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.78.38

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The sagessince 10.78.38inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

ऋषय ऊचु:

इल्वलस्य सुतो घोरो बल्वलो नाम दानव: ।

स दूषयति न: सत्रमेत्य पर्वणि पर्वणि ॥ ३८ ॥

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ

ilvalasya suto ghoro

balvalo nāma dānavaḥ

sa dūṣayati naḥ satram

etya parvaṇi parvaṇi

Translation

The sages said: A fearsome demon named Balvala, the son of Ilvala, comes here every new-moon day and contaminates our sacrifice.

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.

The Sages Present Their Need

  1. 1

    The sages first tell Lord Balarāma the favor they would like Him to do for them.

  2. 2

    A fearsome demon named Balvala, the son of Ilvala, comes to their gathering every new-moon day.

  3. 3

    Balvala contaminates their sacrifice. The sages bring this recurring disturbance before the Lord.

Key points from the purport
  • First the sages tell Lord Balarāma the favor they would like Him to do for them.

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. ṛṣayaḥ ūcuḥthe sages said
  2. ilvalasyaof Ilvala
  3. sutaḥthe son
  4. ghoraḥfearsome
  5. balvalaḥ nāmanamed Balvala
  6. dānavaḥdemon
  7. saḥhe
  8. dūṣayaticontaminates
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

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 10.78

    In this verse: “fearsome”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

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

    In this verse: “contaminates”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 10.78

    In this verse: “favor”

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 disturbance to your devotional service would you like to bring before the Lord?

Practice

Offer a brief prayer honestly expressing one difficulty in your devotional service.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Sages Present Their NeedThis 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 10.78.38? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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