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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

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

10.78.6 10.78.8

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.78.7

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

एवं रूक्षैस्तुदन् वाक्यै: कृष्णं तोत्रैरिव द्विपम् ।

गदया ताडयन्मूर्ध्‍नि सिंहवद् व्यनदच्च स: ॥ ७ ॥

evaṁ rūkṣais tudan vākyaiḥ

kṛṣṇaṁ totrair iva dvipam

gadayātāḍayan mūrdhni

siṁha-vad vyanadac ca saḥ

Translation

Thus trying to harass Lord Kṛṣṇa with harsh words, as one might prick an elephant with sharp goads, Dantavakra struck the Lord on the head with his club and roared like a lion.

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.

Harsh Words Lead into Violence

1
Dantavakra tried to harass Lord Kṛṣṇa with harsh words. The verse compares this to pricking an elephant with sharp goads.
2
He then struck the Lord on the head with his club.
3
Dantavakra roared like a lion as he attacked. His words, blow and roar all expressed his hostility toward the Lord.

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:

Dantavakra then insulted the Lord with harsh words and struck Him a terrific blow on the head. Without budging in the slightest, Lord Kṛṣṇa bludgeoned Dantavakra’s chest, shattering his heart.

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