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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
10.78.510.78.7

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.78.6

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.78.1-2inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

तर्ह्यानृण्यमुपैम्यज्ञ मित्राणां मित्रवत्सल: ।

बन्धुरूपमरिं हत्वा व्याधिं देहचरं यथा ॥ ६ ॥

tarhy ānṛṇyam upaimy ajña

mitrāṇāṁ mitra-vatsalaḥ

bandhu-rūpam ariṁ hatvā

vyādhiṁ deha-caraṁ yathā

Translation

“Then, O unintelligent one, I who am obliged to my friends will have repaid my debt to them by killing You, my enemy disguised as a relative, who are like a disease within my body.”

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.

Kṛṣṇa Is Everyone’s True Friend

  1. 1

    Dantavakra claimed that killing Kṛṣṇa would repay his debt to his friends. Yet the ācāryas explain that ajña indicates that no one is more intelligent than Lord Kṛṣṇa.

  2. 2

    The word bandhu-rūpam indicates that Kṛṣṇa is everyone’s true friend. The word vyādhim indicates that He is the Supersoul within the heart, the object of meditation who removes mental distress.

  3. 3

    The ācāryas understand hatvā as jñātvā: by knowing Kṛṣṇa properly, one can actually liberate all of one’s friends.

Key points from the purport
  • According to the ācāryas, the word ajña indicates that in comparison to Lord Kṛṣṇa, no one is more intelligent.
  • Further, the word bandhu-rūpam indicates that Lord Kṛṣṇa is actually everyone’s true friend, and vyādhim indicates that Lord Kṛṣṇa is the Supersoul, the object of meditation within the heart, who takes away our mental distress.
  • Furthermore, the ācāryas translate the word hatvā as jñātvā; in other words, by knowing Kṛṣṇa properly one can actually liberate all of one’s friends.

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:

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 summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.78
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tarhithen
  2. ānṛṇyampayment of my debt
  3. upaimiI will achieve
  4. ajñaO unintelligent one
  5. mitrāṇāmto my friends
  6. mitra-vatsalaḥwho am affectionate to my friends
  7. bandhuof a family member
  8. rūpamin the form
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 10.78

    In this verse: “friends”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 10.78

    In this verse: “distress”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 10.78

    In this verse: “understand”

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 might remembering Kṛṣṇa as everyone’s true friend change my concern for others?

Practice

Spend one quiet minute remembering Kṛṣṇa within the heart as your true friend and the remover of mental distress.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa Is Everyone’s True FriendThis 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 10.78.6? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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