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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
10.38.1810.38.20

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.38.19

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

अप्यङ्‍‍‍‍‍घ्रिमूलेऽवहितं कृताञ्जलिं

मामीक्षिता सस्मितमार्द्रया द‍ृशा ।

सपद्यपध्वस्तसमस्तकिल्बिषो

वोढा मुदं वीतविशङ्क ऊर्जिताम् ॥ १९ ॥

apy aṅghri-mūle ’vahitaṁ kṛtāñjaliṁ

mām īkṣitā sa-smitam ārdrayā dṛśā

sapady apadhvasta-samasta-kilbiṣo

voḍhā mudaṁ vīta-viśaṅka ūrjitām

Translation

Thus He will cast His smiling, affectionate glance upon me as I remain fixed with joined palms, fallen in obeisances at His feet. Then all my contamination will at once be dispelled, and I will give up all doubts and feel the most intense bliss.

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 Affection Purifies the Heart

  1. 1

    The devotee pictures himself remaining fixed at the Lord’s feet, fallen in obeisances with joined palms.

  2. 2

    He anticipates the Lord’s smiling, affectionate glance upon him.

  3. 3

    Through that glance, he expects all contamination to be dispelled at once. Freed from doubts, he will experience intense bliss.

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. apiand
  2. aṅghriof His feet
  3. mūleat the base
  4. avahitamfixed
  5. kṛta-añjalimwith joined palms
  6. māmme
  7. īkṣitāwill look upon
  8. sasmitamsmiling
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

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 10.38

    In this verse: “give up”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

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

    In this verse: “contamination”

  • 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

How can I approach the Lord with greater humility and trust in His affection?

Practice

Join your palms and offer a brief prayer for the Lord’s affectionate mercy to purify your heart.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord’s Affection Purifies the HeartThis 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 10.38.19? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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