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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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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.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›
Canto 10 · Chapter 38: Akrūra’s Arrival in Vṛndāvana
10.37.3310.38.2

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.38.1

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.38.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

श्रीशुक उवाच

अक्रूरोऽपि च तां रात्रिं मधुपुर्यां महामति: ।

उषित्वा रथमास्थाय प्रययौ नन्दगोकुलम् ॥ १ ॥

śrī-śuka uvāca

akrūro ’pi ca tāṁ rātriṁ

madhu-puryāṁ mahā-matiḥ

uṣitvā ratham āsthāya

prayayau nanda-gokulam

Translation

Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: After passing the night in the city of Mathurā, the high-minded Akrūra mounted his chariot and set off for the cowherd village of Nanda Mahārāja.

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.

Setting Out for the Lord’s Village

  1. 1

    After spending the night in Mathurā, the high-minded Akrūra mounted his chariot and left early for Nanda Mahārāja’s cowherd village.

  2. 2

    King Kaṁsa had ordered this journey on the Ekādaśī of the dark fortnight of Phālguna.

  3. 3

    That morning Nārada offered prayers to Kṛṣṇa, and that afternoon the demon Vyoma was killed. Akrūra entered the Lord’s village at dusk.

Key points from the purport
  • King Kaṁsa ordered Akrūra to go to Vṛndāvana on the Ekādaśī of the dark fortnight of the Vedic month of Phālguna.
  • After spending the night in Mathurā, Akrūra left early the next day.
  • That morning Nārada offered his prayers to Kṛṣṇa in Vṛndāvana, and in the afternoon the demon Vyoma was killed there.

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 38: Akrūra’s Arrival in Vṛndāvana

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Early in the morning on the day after Kaṁsa had ordered him to bring Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma to Mathurā, Akrūra prepared his chariot and set off for Gokula. As he traveled, he thought as follows: “I am about to attain the great good fortune of seeing Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet, which are worshiped by Brahmā, Rudra and the other demigods.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.38
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śrī-śukaḥ uvācaŚukadeva Gosvāmī said
  2. akrūraḥAkrūra
  3. api caand
  4. tāmthat
  5. rātrimnight
  6. madhu-puryāmin the city of Mathurā
  7. mahā-matiḥhigh-minded
  8. uṣitvāremaining
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 10.38

    In this verse: “nanda”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 10.38

    In this verse: “king”

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 can Akrūra’s departure inspire you to make time for approaching the Lord?

Practice

Set aside a specific time today to read about the Lord, and begin at that time.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 10.38's connections

Live this todaySetting Out for the Lord’s VillageThis 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 10.38.1? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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