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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
10.38.1510.38.17

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.38.16

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.38.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

अप्यङ्‍‍‍‍‍घ्रिमूले पतितस्य मे विभु:

शिरस्यधास्यन्निजहस्तपङ्कजम् ।

दत्ताभयं कालभुजाङ्गरंहसा

प्रोद्वेजितानां शरणैषिणां नृणाम् ॥ १६ ॥

apy aṅghri-mūle patitasya me vibhuḥ

śirasy adhāsyan nija-hasta-paṅkajam

dattābhayaṁ kāla-bhujāṅga-raṁhasā

prodvejitānāṁ śaraṇaiṣiṇāṁ ṇṛnām

Translation

And when I have fallen at His feet, the almighty Lord will place His lotus hand upon my head. For those who seek shelter in Him because they are greatly disturbed by the powerful serpent of time, that hand removes all fear.

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.

The Lord’s Shelter Removes Fear

  1. 1

    The devotee anticipates falling at the almighty Lord’s feet and receiving His lotus hand upon his head.

  2. 2

    Time is compared to a powerful serpent that greatly disturbs people.

  3. 3

    The Lord’s lotus hand removes all fear for those who seek shelter in Him.

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. apifurthermore
  2. aṅghriof His feet
  3. mūleat the base
  4. patitasyawho have fallen
  5. meof me
  6. vibhuḥthe almighty Lord
  7. śirasiupon the head
  8. adhāsyatwill place
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 10.38

    In this verse: “fear”

  • Śaraṇāgati · Wholehearted surrender

    Relinquishing ownership while entrusting oneself to the Lord. · Theme in SB 10.38

    In this verse: “shelter”

  • 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

What fear about time or change can I bring before the Lord today?

Practice

Name one fear in a short prayer and ask the almighty Lord for shelter at His feet.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord’s Shelter Removes FearThis 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 10.38.16? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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