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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.
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Canto 10 · Chapter 38: Akrūra’s Arrival in Vṛndāvana
10.38.1410.38.16

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.38.15

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

अथावरूढ: सपदीशयो रथात्

प्रधानपुंसोश्चरणं स्वलब्धये ।

धिया धृतं योगिभिरप्यहं ध्रुवं

नमस्य आभ्यां च सखीन् वनौकस: ॥ १५ ॥

athāvarūḍhaḥ sapadīśayo rathāt

pradhāna-puṁsoś caraṇaṁ sva-labdhaye

dhiyā dhṛtaṁ yogibhir apy ahaṁ dhruvaṁ

namasya ābhyāṁ ca sakhīn vanaukasaḥ

Translation

Then I will at once alight from my chariot and bow down to the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, the Supreme Personalities of Godhead. Theirs are the same feet that great mystic yogīs striving for self-realization bear within their minds. I will also offer my obeisances to the Lords’ cowherd boyfriends and to all the other residents of Vṛndāvana.

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.

Honor the Lords and Their Devotees

  1. 1

    The devotee plans to get down from his chariot at once and bow to Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, the Supreme Personalities of Godhead.

  2. 2

    Their lotus feet are the same feet that great mystic yogīs hold within their minds while striving for self-realization.

  3. 3

    He also plans to offer obeisances to the Lords’ cowherd boyfriends and all the other residents of Vṛndāvana.

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:

When I first catch sight of His lotus feet, all my sinful reactions will be destroyed at once. I will descend from my chariot and fall at the feet of Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, and even though I have been sent by Kaṁsa, the omniscient Śrī Kṛṣṇa will certainly harbor no animosity toward me.”
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.38
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. athathen
  2. avarūḍhaḥgetting down
  3. sapadiat once
  4. īśayoḥof the two Lords
  5. rathātfrom my chariot
  6. pradhāna-puṁsoḥof the Supreme Personalities
  7. caraṇamto the feet
  8. sva-labdhayefor the sake of self-realization
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotee”

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

Does my respect for the Lord also extend to His devotees?

Practice

Offer a bow to Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, and mentally offer respect to Their friends and the residents of Vṛndāvana.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHonor the Lords and Their DevoteesThis 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 10.38.15? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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