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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

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

10.78.3 10.78.5

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.78.4

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

गदामुद्यम्य कारूषो मुकुन्दं प्राह दुर्मद: ।

दिष्‍ट्या दिष्‍ट्या भवानद्य मम द‍ृष्टिपथं गत: ॥ ४ ॥

gadām udyamya kārūṣo

mukundaṁ prāha durmadaḥ

diṣṭyā diṣṭyā bhavān adya

mama dṛṣṭi-pathaṁ gataḥ

Translation

Raising his club, the reckless King of Karūṣa said to Lord Mukunda, “What luck! What luck — to have You come before me today!

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.

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Hidden Fortune of Meeting Kṛṣṇa

1
The reckless King of Karūṣa raised his club and called meeting Lord Mukunda good fortune.
2
Śrīla Śrīdhara Svāmī explains that Dantavakra had formerly been a gatekeeper in Vaikuṇṭha. After waiting three lifetimes, he could now return to the spiritual world.
3
The transcendental meaning of his words is joy at returning to his constitutional position in the spiritual world.

Key points from the purport

Śrīla Śrīdhara Svāmī explains that after having waited for three lifetimes, Dantavakra, formerly a gatekeeper in Vaikuṇṭha, could now return to the spiritual world.
Therefore the transcendental meaning of his statement is: “How fortunate!
How fortunate I am that today I can return to my constitutional position in the spiritual world!”

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

Chapter 78: The Killing of Dantavakra, Vidūratha and Romaharṣaṇa

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Intent upon avenging the death of his friend Śālva, Dantavakra appeared on the battlefield with club in hand. Lord Kṛṣṇa took up His own club and came before him.

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

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

gadāmhis club
udyamyawielding
kārūṣaḥthe King of Karūṣa (Dantavakra)
mukundamto Lord Kṛṣṇa
prāhasaid
durmadaḥintoxicated by foolish pride
diṣṭyāby good fortune
diṣṭyāby good fortune

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
Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership
Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 10.78
In this verse: “king”

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

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does the purport deepen my understanding of Dantavakra’s words, “What luck”?

Practice

Write one sentence describing the difference between Dantavakra’s outward challenge and the transcendental meaning of his words.

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Hidden Fortune of Meeting KṛṣṇaThis 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 10.78.4? Get an answer from the verses themselves.

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