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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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.83.34

Who is speaking and story frame

तेऽन्वसज्जन्त राजन्या निषेद्धुं पथि केचन ।

संयत्ता उद्‍धृतेष्वासा ग्रामसिंहा यथा हरिम् ॥ ३४ ॥

te ’nvasajjanta rājanyā

niṣeddhuṁ pathi kecana

saṁyattā uddhṛteṣv-āsā

grāma-siṁhā yathā harim

Translation

The kings pursued the Lord like village dogs chasing a lion. Some kings, raising their bows, stationed themselves on the road to stop Him as He passed by.

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.

Opposition Cannot Equal the Lord’s Greatness

  1. 1

    The kings pursued the Lord as He departed.

  2. 2

    Their pursuit is compared to village dogs chasing a lion, showing the difference between their strength and His.

  3. 3

    Some kings raised their bows and stationed themselves on the road, trying to stop Him as He passed.

How it feels

Humility and separation → Friendship and reunion. The sweetness of relationship outweighs prestige.

Chapters 80–86 of Canto 10: Sudāmā and reunion with the residents of Vraja. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 83: Draupadī Meets the Queens of Kṛṣṇa

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Several kings tried to hit the fish with an arrow but failed. Arjuna then made his attempt.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.83
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tethey
  2. anvasajjantafollowed from behind
  3. rājanyāḥthe kings
  4. niṣeddhumto check Him
  5. pathion the path
  6. kecanasome of them
  7. saṁyattāḥready
  8. uddhṛtaraised
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 10.83

    In this verse: “kings”

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

What does the contrast between village dogs and a lion reveal about opposing the Lord?

Practice

Read the comparison once more, then take a quiet moment to cultivate humility toward the Lord.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayOpposition Cannot Equal the Lord’s GreatnessThis 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 10.83.34? Get an answer from the verses themselves.