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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
10.79.3-410.79.6

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.79.5

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.79.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

तमाकृष्य हलाग्रेण बल्वलं गगनेचरम् ।

मूषलेनाहनत्क्रुद्धो मूर्ध्‍नि ब्रह्मद्रुहं बल: ॥ ५ ॥

tam ākṛṣya halāgreṇa

balvalaṁ gagane-caram

mūṣalenāhanat kruddho

mūrdhni brahma-druhaṁ balaḥ

Translation

With the tip of His plow Lord Balarāma caught hold of the demon Balvala as he flew through the sky, and with His club the Lord angrily struck that harasser of brāhmaṇas on the head.

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.

Lord Balarāma Stops the Harasser

  1. 1

    Balvala was flying through the sky when Lord Balarāma caught him with the tip of His plow.

  2. 2

    The Lord angrily struck the demon on the head with His club.

  3. 3

    The verse identifies Balvala as a harasser of brāhmaṇas; the Lord’s action stopped his aggression.

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:

Lord Baladeva caught the demon with His plow and then struck him a ferocious blow on the head with His club, killing him. The sages chanted Lord Baladeva’s glories and presented Him with lavish gifts.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.79
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tamhim
  2. ākṛṣyapulling toward Him
  3. halaof His plow
  4. agreṇawith the front end
  5. balvalamBalvala
  6. gaganein the sky
  7. caramwho was moving
  8. mūṣalenawith His club
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 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 the description of Balvala as a harasser help you understand the Lord’s action?

Practice

Offer a brief prayer appreciating Lord Balarāma’s protection of the brāhmaṇas.

Live this todayLord Balarāma Stops the HarasserThis 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 10.79.5? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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