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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 ›
Canto 10 · Chapter 36: The Slaying of Ariṣṭā, the Bull Demon
10.36.3810.36.40

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.36.39

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Akrūrasince 10.36.38inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

मनोरथान् करोत्युच्चैर्जनो दैवहतानपि ।

युज्यते हर्षशोकाभ्यां तथाप्याज्ञां करोमि ते ॥ ३९ ॥

manorathān karoty uccair

jano daiva-hatān api

yujyate harṣa-śokābhyāṁ

tathāpy ājñāṁ karomi te

Translation

An ordinary person is determined to act on his desires even when fate prevents their fulfillment. Therefore he encounters both happiness and distress. Yet even though such is the case, I will execute your order.

Read the purport on Vedabase.io

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.

Desire Persists Despite Fate’s Obstacles

  1. 1

    An ordinary person determinedly pursues desires even when fate prevents their fulfillment, and thus encounters happiness and distress.

  2. 2

    Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī explains that Akrūra’s courteous, encouraging words carried a very different hidden meaning.

  3. 3

    Akrūra considered the plan unfit to execute. He would obey as the King’s subject, knowing that the King was about to die.

Key points from the purport
  • Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī explains that although what Akrūra said was courteous and encouraging, his hidden meaning was far different.
  • What he really meant was this: “Your plan is not fit to execute, yet I will carry it out since you are the King and I am your subject, and in any case, you are about to die.”

The purport's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

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:

Taking Akrūra by the hand, Kaṁsa persuaded him to go to Vraja to bring the two boys to Mathurā. Akrūra agreed to carry out Kaṁsa’s order and then returned home.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.36
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. manaḥ-rathānhis desires
  2. karoticarries out
  3. uccaiḥfervently
  4. janaḥthe average person
  5. daivaby Providence
  6. hatānthwarted
  7. apieven though
  8. yujyatehe is confronted
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 10.36

    In this verse: “distress”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 10.36

    In this verse: “king’s”

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

When my wishes are repeatedly frustrated, do I pause to reconsider them?

Practice

Write down one frustrated desire and notice the happiness or distress attached to pursuing it.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDesire Persists Despite Fate’s ObstaclesThis 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 10.36.39? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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