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 79: Lord Balarāma Goes on Pilgrimage
10.79.110.79.3-4

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.79.2

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.79.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

ततोऽमेध्यमयं वर्षं बल्वलेन विनिर्मितम् ।

अभवद् यज्ञशालायां सोऽन्वद‍ृश्यत शूलधृक् ॥ २ ॥

tato ’medhya-mayaṁ varṣaṁ

balvalena vinirmitam

abhavad yajña-śālāyāṁ

so ’nvadṛśyata śūla-dhṛk

Translation

Next, onto the sacrificial arena came a downpour of abominable things sent by Balvala, after which the demon himself appeared, trident in hand.

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.

Balvala Disrupts the Sacrifice

  1. 1

    Balvala sent a downpour of abominable things onto the sacrificial arena.

  2. 2

    The demon himself appeared after sending this disturbance.

  3. 3

    He carried a trident, adding a direct threat to the disruption of the sacrifice.

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 79: Lord Balarāma Goes on Pilgrimage

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

The demon Balvala then appeared there with a trident in his hand, his massive body pitch black and his face very frightening. Lord Baladeva caught the demon with His plow and then struck him a ferocious blow on the head with His club, killing him.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.79
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tataḥthen
  2. amedhyaabominable things
  3. mayamfull of
  4. varṣama rain
  5. balvalenaby Balvala
  6. vinirmitamproduced
  7. abhavatoccurred
  8. yajñaof the sacrifice
3

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

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 verse show disrespect toward sacred worship?

Practice

Take one small step today to keep a place of worship clean and undisturbed.

Live this todayBalvala Disrupts the SacrificeThis 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 10.79.2? 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