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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
10.38.1110.38.13

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.38.12

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

यस्याखिलामीवहभि: सुमङ्गलै-

र्वाचो विमिश्रा गुणकर्मजन्मभि: ।

प्राणन्ति शुम्भन्ति पुनन्ति वै जगत्

यास्तद्विरक्ता: शवशोभना मता: ॥ १२ ॥

yasyākhilāmīva-habhiḥ su-maṅgalaiḥ

vāco vimiśrā guṇa-karma-janmabhiḥ

prāṇanti śumbhanti punanti vai jagat

yās tad-viraktāḥ śava-śobhanā matāḥ

Translation

All sins are destroyed and all good fortune is created by the Supreme Lord’s qualities, activities and appearances, and words that describe these three things animate, beautify and purify the world. On the other hand, words bereft of His glories are like the decorations on a corpse.

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.

Words About Kṛṣṇa Give Life

  1. 1

    The Supreme Lord’s qualities, activities and appearances destroy sins and create all good fortune.

  2. 2

    Words describing His glories give life, beauty and purity to the world. Words without those glories are compared to decorations on a corpse.

  3. 3

    Lord Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes take place on the pure, spiritual platform. He acts for the pleasure of His loving devotees, not for material gratification.

Key points from the purport
  • Śrīla Śrīdhara Svāmī brings up the following possible objection: How can one who is devoid of ordinary ego, who is fully self-satisfied, engage in pastimes?
  • Lord Kṛṣṇa acts on the pure, spiritual platform for the pleasure of His loving devotees, not for any kind of mundane gratification.

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:

Although Kaṁsa is an enemy of the Supreme Lord and His devotees, still, it is by Kaṁsa’s grace that I will get this great boon of seeing the Lord. When I first catch sight of His lotus feet, all my sinful reactions will be destroyed at once.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.38
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yasyaof whom
  2. akhilaall
  3. amīvasins
  4. habhiḥwhich destroy
  5. su-maṅgalaiḥmost auspicious
  6. vācaḥwords
  7. vimiśrāḥjoined
  8. guṇawith the qualities
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

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 10.38

    In this verse: “purify”, “sins”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 10.38

    In this verse: “material”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 10.38

    In this verse: “devotees”

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 my words today give more room to Kṛṣṇa’s glories?

Practice

Read aloud one sentence describing Kṛṣṇa’s qualities or activities, remembering that His pastimes delight His devotees.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayWords About Kṛṣṇa Give LifeThis 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 10.38.12? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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