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Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

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Canto 8 · Withdrawal of the Cosmic Creations · 24 chapters

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How to study this verse, in six steps

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
6Write down what touched you. Note the main points in your own notebook.

Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›

Canto 8 · Chapter 10: The Battle Between the Demigods and the Demons

8.10.35 8.10.37

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.10.36

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 8.10.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

भुशुण्डिभिश्चक्रगदर्ष्टिपट्टिशै:

शक्त्युल्मुकै: प्रासपरश्वधैरपि ।

निस्त्रिंशभल्ल‍ै: परिघै: समुद्गरै:

सभिन्दिपालैश्च शिरांसि चिच्छिदु: ॥ ३६ ॥

bhuśuṇḍibhiś cakra-gadarṣṭi-paṭṭiśaiḥ

śakty-ulmukaiḥ prāsa-paraśvadhair api

nistriṁśa-bhallaiḥ parighaiḥ samudgaraiḥ

sabhindipālaiś ca śirāṁsi cicchiduḥ

Translation

They severed one another’s heads, using weapons like bhuśuṇḍis, cakras, clubs, ṛṣṭis, paṭṭiśas, śaktis, ulmukas, prāsas, paraśvadhas, nistriṁśas, lances, parighas, mudgaras and bhindipālas.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

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

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Battle Takes a Deadly Toll

1
The fighters used many kinds of weapons against one another.
2
These included bhuśuṇḍis, cakras, clubs and lances.
3
The weapons severed heads, showing the deadly violence of the battle.

How it feels

Danger and ambition → Divine rescue and surprise. Cooperation, rivalry and revelation alternate rapidly.

Chapters 5–12 of Canto 8: Churning the ocean, poison and nectar. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Chapter 10: The Battle Between the Demigods and the Demons

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Bali Mahārāja, the son of Virocana, became the commander in chief of the demons. In the beginning of the battle, the demigods prepared to defeat the demons.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in chapter 8.10