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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 79: Lord Balarāma Goes on Pilgrimage
10.79.510.79.7

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.79.6

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

सोऽपतद्भ‍ुवि निर्भिन्नललाटोऽसृक् समुत्सृजन् ।

मुञ्चन्नार्तस्वरं शैलो यथा वज्रहतोऽरुण: ॥ ६ ॥

so ’patad bhuvi nirbhinna-

lalāṭo ’sṛk samutsṛjan

muñcann ārta-svaraṁ śailo

yathā vajra-hato ’ruṇaḥ

Translation

Balvala cried out in agony and fell to the ground, his forehead cracked open and gushing blood. He resembled a red mountain struck by a lightning bolt.

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.

Balvala Falls Defeated

  1. 1

    Balvala cried out in agony and fell to the ground with his forehead cracked open.

  2. 2

    The verse compares him to a red mountain struck by a lightning bolt.

  3. 3

    The ācāryas explain that blood made the demon appear reddish, like a mountain red with oxide.

Key points from the purport
  • According to the ācāryas, the demon appeared reddish with blood, like a mountain red with oxide.

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:

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. saḥhe, Balvala
  2. apatatfell
  3. bhuvito the ground
  4. nirbhinnacracked open
  5. lalāṭaḥhis forehead
  6. asṛkblood
  7. samutsṛjangushing
  8. muñcanreleasing
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

  • Viraha · Longing in separation

    Love and remembrance experienced in apparent absence. · Theme in SB 10.79

    In this verse: “cried”

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 mountain-and-lightning comparison convey the force of Balvala’s defeat?

Practice

Reread the comparison and its explanation, then briefly recall the Lord’s victory.

Live this todayBalvala Falls DefeatedThis 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 10.79.6? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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