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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
  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
10.78.810.78.10

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.78.9

Nirodha· Winding up
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.78.1-2inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

गदानिर्भिन्नहृदय उद्वमन् रुधिरं मुखात् ।

प्रसार्य केशबाह्वङ्‍‍घ्रीन् धरण्यां न्यपतद् व्यसु: ॥ ९ ॥

gadā-nirbhinna-hṛdaya

udvaman rudhiraṁ mukhāt

prasārya keśa-bāhv-aṅghrīn

dharaṇyāṁ nyapatad vyasuḥ

Translation

His heart shattered by the club’s blow, Dantavakra vomited blood and fell lifeless to the ground, his hair disheveled and his arms and legs sprawling.

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.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Dantavakra Falls Lifeless

  1. 1

    The club’s blow shattered Dantavakra’s heart.

  2. 2

    He vomited blood and fell lifeless to the ground.

  3. 3

    His disheveled hair and sprawling arms and legs complete the description of his fall. The verse presents his death in direct, sobering terms.

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:

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 summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.78
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. gadāby the club
  2. nirbhinnabroken to pieces
  3. hṛdayaḥhis heart
  4. udvamanvomiting
  5. rudhiramblood
  6. mukhātfrom his mouth
  7. prasāryathrusting outward
  8. keśahis hair
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Nirodha · Returning home, back to Godhead

    What happens when everything here comes to an end? · Subject 8 of 10

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

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

    In this verse: “death”

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 does this account prompt me to reflect on the fragility of bodily life?

Practice

Pause for a moment today to acknowledge that bodily life is fragile and should not be taken for granted.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDantavakra Falls LifelessThis 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 10.78.9? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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