1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 10 · The Summum Bonum · 90 chapters

123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536373839404142434445464748495051525354555657585960616263646566676869707172737475767778798081828384858687888990

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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
10.78.3910.79.1

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.78.40

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The sagessince 10.78.38inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

ततश्च भारतं वर्षं परीत्य सुसमाहित: ।

चरित्वा द्वादश मासांस्तीर्थस्‍नायी विशुध्यसि ॥ ४० ॥

tataś ca bhārataṁ varṣaṁ

parītya su-samāhitaḥ

caritvā dvādaśa-māsāṁs

tīrtha-snāyī viśudhyasi

Translation

Thereafter, for twelve months, You should circumambulate the land of Bhārata in a mood of serious meditation, executing austerities and bathing at various holy pilgrimage sites. In this way You will become purified.

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.

Atonement That Sets a Perfect Example

  1. 1

    The sages prescribe twelve months of circumambulating the land of Bhārata, with serious meditation, austerities and bathing at holy pilgrimage sites.

  2. 2

    Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī explains that purification here means Lord Balarāma would achieve spotless fame by setting a perfect example for people in general.

  3. 3

    Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the brāhmaṇas understood the Lord’s purpose. They therefore suggested atonement that would be beneficial to them.

Key points from the purport
  • Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī points out that the word viśudhyasi means that Lord Balarāma would achieve spotless fame by setting such a perfect example for the people in general.
  • Śrīla Prabhupāda writes: “The brāhmaṇas could understand the purpose of the Lord, and thus they suggested that He atone in a manner which would be beneficial to them.”
  • Thus end the purports of the humble servants of His Divine Grace A.C.

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. tataḥthen
  2. caand
  3. bhāratam varṣamthe land of Bhārata (India)
  4. parītyacircumambulating
  5. su-samāhitaḥin a serious mood
  6. caritvāperforming penances
  7. dvādaśatwelve
  8. māsānmonths
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

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

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

    In this verse: “purified”, “purification”

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 could your response to correction both set a good example and benefit others?

Practice

Take a few quiet minutes today to consider one correction you have received and one helpful action you can take.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayAtonement That Sets a Perfect 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.

Ask the BhāgavatamHave a question about SB 10.78.40? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories