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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.
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Canto 10 · Chapter 36: The Slaying of Ariṣṭā, the Bull Demon
10.36.2810.36.30

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.36.29

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Nārada Munisince 10.36.17inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

अतस्त्वामाश्रित: सौम्य कार्यगौरवसाधनम् ।

यथेन्द्रो विष्णुमाश्रित्य स्वार्थमध्यगमद् विभु: ॥ २९ ॥

atas tvām āśritaḥ saumya

kārya-gaurava-sādhanam

yathendro viṣṇum āśritya

svārtham adhyagamad vibhuḥ

Translation

Gentle Akrūra, you always carry out your duties soberly, and therefore I am depending on you, just as powerful Indra took shelter of Lord Viṣṇu to achieve his goals.

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.

Sober Duty Inspires Dependence

  1. 1

    Akrūra is addressed as gentle and praised for carrying out his duties soberly.

  2. 2

    The speaker presents Akrūra’s reliability as the reason for depending on him.

  3. 3

    He compares this dependence to powerful Indra taking shelter of Lord Viṣṇu to achieve his goals. The comparison is part of his appeal to Akrūra.

How it feels

Attachment → Impending loss. The approach of departure gives pastoral love a poignant edge.

Chapters 34–38 of Canto 10: Further Vraja events and Akrūra's arrival. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 36: The Slaying of Ariṣṭā, the Bull Demon

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Then he spoke to Akrūra, who was expert at executing his duties. Taking Akrūra by the hand, Kaṁsa persuaded him to go to Vraja to bring the two boys to Mathurā.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.36
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. ataḥtherefore
  2. tvāmon you
  3. āśritaḥ(I am) depending
  4. saumyaO gentle one
  5. kāryaprescribed duties
  6. gauravasoberly
  7. sādhanamwho executes
  8. yathāas similarly
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

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 10.36

    In this verse: “duties”

  • Śaraṇāgati · Wholehearted surrender

    Relinquishing ownership while entrusting oneself to the Lord. · Theme in SB 10.36

    In this verse: “shelter”

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

Do I carry out my responsibilities with the steadiness praised here?

Practice

Complete one responsibility calmly and attentively today, without rushing through it.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySober Duty Inspires DependenceThis 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 10.36.29? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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