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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 79: Lord Balarāma Goes on Pilgrimage
10.79.2510.79.27

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.79.26

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Balarāmasince 10.79.26inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

युवां तुल्यबलौ वीरौ हे राजन् हे वृकोदर ।

एकं प्राणाधिकं मन्ये उतैकं शिक्षयाधिकम् ॥ २६ ॥

yuvāṁ tulya-balau vīrau

he rājan he vṛkodara

ekaṁ prāṇādhikaṁ manye

utaikaṁ śikṣayādhikam

Translation

[Lord Balarāma said:] King Duryodhana! And Bhīma! Listen! You two warriors are equal in fighting prowess. I know that one of you has greater physical power, while the other is better trained in technique.

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.

Strength and Technique Balance Each Other

  1. 1

    Lord Balarāma called upon Duryodhana and Bhīma to listen.

  2. 2

    He judged the two warriors equal in fighting prowess, though their strengths differed.

  3. 3

    Bhīma was physically more powerful, while Duryodhana was more advanced in technique.

Key points from the purport
  • Bhīma was physically more powerful, but Duryodhana was more advanced in terms of technique.

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 79: Lord Balarāma Goes on Pilgrimage

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

When He heard news of the battle between the Kurus and Pāṇḍavas, the Lord went to Kurukṣetra to try to stop the duel between Bhīma and Duryodhana. But He could not dissuade them from fighting, so deep was their enmity.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.79
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yuvāmyou two
  2. tulyaequal
  3. balauin prowess
  4. vīrauwarriors
  5. he rājanO King (Duryodhana)
  6. he vṛkodaraO Bhīma
  7. ekamone
  8. prāṇain terms of vital force
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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 10.79

    In this verse: “king”

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

Can I acknowledge another person’s abilities even when they differ from mine?

Practice

Recognize one specific ability in someone with whom you tend to compete.

Live this todayStrength and Technique Balance Each OtherThis 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 10.79.26? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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