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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
  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 8 · Chapter 10: The Battle Between the Demigods and the Demons
8.10.368.10.38

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.10.37

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

गजास्तुरङ्गा: सरथा: पदातय:

सारोहवाहा विविधा विखण्डिता: ।

निकृत्तबाहूरुशिरोधराङ्‍‍घ्रय-

श्छिन्नध्वजेष्वासतनुत्रभूषणा: ॥ ३७ ॥

gajās turaṅgāḥ sarathāḥ padātayaḥ

sāroha-vāhā vividhā vikhaṇḍitāḥ

nikṛtta-bāhūru-śirodharāṅghrayaś

chinna-dhvajeṣvāsa-tanutra-bhūṣaṇāḥ

Translation

The elephants, horses, chariots, charioteers, infantry soldiers and various kinds of carriers, along with their riders, were slashed to pieces. The arms, thighs, necks and legs of the soldiers were severed, and their flags, bows, armor and ornaments were torn apart.

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.

Destruction Spreads Throughout the Battlefield

  1. 1

    Elephants, horses and various carriers were slashed to pieces along with their riders.

  2. 2

    Chariots, charioteers and infantry soldiers also suffered destruction. The soldiers’ limbs were severed.

  3. 3

    Flags, bows, armor and ornaments were torn apart.

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

Further reading

Chapter 10: The Battle Between the Demigods and the Demons

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

In this fight the demons were defeated, and to save themselves from death they began to manifest many illusions through material maneuvers, killing many soldiers on the side of the demigods. The demigods, finding no other recourse, surrendered again to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Viṣṇu, who then appeared and counteracted all the illusions presented by the jugglery of the demons.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 8.10
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. gajāḥelephants
  2. turaṅgāḥhorses
  3. sa-rathāḥwith chariots
  4. padātayaḥinfantry soldiers
  5. sāroha-vāhāḥcarriers with the riders
  6. vividhāḥvarieties
  7. vikhaṇḍitāḥcut to pieces
  8. nikṛtta-bāhucut off arms
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

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 8.10

    In this verse: “infantry”

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 inclusion of animals, soldiers and equipment deepen my understanding of the battle’s destruction?

Practice

List three groups affected by the battle, including the animals.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDestruction Spreads Throughout the BattlefieldThis 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 8.10.37? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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