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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 6 · Chapter 11: The Transcendental Qualities of Vṛtrāsura
6.11.96.11.11

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.11.10

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 6.11.6inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

स इन्द्रशत्रु: कुपितो भृशं तया

महेन्द्रवाहं गदयोरुविक्रम: ।

जघान कुम्भस्थल उन्नदन्मृधे

तत्कर्म सर्वे समपूजयन्नृप ॥ १० ॥

sa indra-śatruḥ kupito bhṛśaṁ tayā

mahendra-vāhaṁ gadayoru-vikramaḥ

jaghāna kumbha-sthala unnadan mṛdhe

tat karma sarve samapūjayan nṛpa

Translation

O King Parīkṣit, the powerful Vṛtrāsura, the enemy of King Indra, angrily struck the head of Indra’s elephant with that club, making a tumultuous sound on the battlefield. For this heroic deed, the soldiers on both sides glorified him.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Both Sides Recognize Vṛtrāsura’s Heroism

  1. 1

    The powerful Vṛtrāsura angrily struck the head of Indra’s elephant with the club.

  2. 2

    The blow made a tumultuous sound on the battlefield.

  3. 3

    Soldiers on both sides glorified Vṛtrāsura for this heroic deed.

How it feels

Danger → Fearless longing. A seeming enemy reveals the heart of a great devotee.

Chapters 11–13 of Canto 6: Vṛtrāsura's prayers and final battle. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 11: The Transcendental Qualities of Vṛtrāsura

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Unable to tolerate this, Indra, the King of the demigods, threw his club at Vṛtrāsura, but Vṛtrāsura was such a great hero that he easily caught the club with his left hand and used it to beat Indra’s elephant. Struck by the blow of Vṛtrāsura, the elephant was pushed back fourteen yards and fell, with Indra on its back.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 6.11
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. saḥthat
  2. indra-śatruḥVṛtrāsura
  3. kupitaḥbeing angry
  4. bhṛśamvery much
  5. tayāwith that
  6. mahendra-vāhamthe elephant who is the carrier of Indra
  7. gadayāby the club
  8. uru-vikramaḥwho is famous for his great strength
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

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 6.11

    In this verse: “glorified”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 6.11

    In this verse: “king”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Can I recognize an ability even in someone whose side I do not support?

Practice

Acknowledge one genuine ability in someone with whom you disagree.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayBoth Sides Recognize Vṛtrāsura’s HeroismThis 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 6.11.10? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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