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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.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›
Canto 10 · Chapter 38: Akrūra’s Arrival in Vṛndāvana
10.38.1910.38.21

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.38.20

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.38.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

सुहृत्तमं ज्ञातिमनन्यदैवतं

दोर्भ्यां बृहद्‌भ्यां परिरप्स्यतेऽथ माम् ।

आत्मा हि तीर्थीक्रियते तदैव मे

बन्धश्च कर्मात्मक उच्छ्वसित्यत: ॥ २० ॥

suhṛttamaṁ jñātim ananya-daivataṁ

dorbhyāṁ bṛhadbhyāṁ parirapsyate ’tha mām

ātmā hi tīrthī-kriyate tadaiva me

bandhaś ca karmātmaka ucchvasity ataḥ

Translation

Recognizing me as an intimate friend and relative, Kṛṣṇa will embrace me with His mighty arms, instantly sanctifying my body and diminishing to nil all my material bondage, which is due to fruitive activities.

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.

Kṛṣṇa’s Embrace Ends Material Bondage

  1. 1

    The devotee anticipates Kṛṣṇa recognizing him as an intimate friend and relative.

  2. 2

    He expects Kṛṣṇa to embrace him with His mighty arms, instantly sanctifying his body.

  3. 3

    That embrace will reduce his material bondage to nothing. The verse identifies fruitive activities as the cause of this bondage.

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:

As Akrūra thus thought to himself, he arrived in Gokula at sunset. Alighting from his chariot in the cowherd pasture, he began rolling about in the dust in great ecstasy.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.38
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. suhṛt-tamamthe best of friends
  2. jñātima family member
  3. ananyaexclusive
  4. daivatam(having Him) as my object of worship
  5. dorbhyāmwith His two arms
  6. bṛhadbhyāmlarge
  7. parirapsyateHe will embrace
  8. athathereupon
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 10.38

    In this verse: “friend”

  • 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: “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

Am I seeking closeness to Kṛṣṇa, or mainly rewards from my activities?

Practice

Do one small act of service to Kṛṣṇa today without asking for a material reward.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa’s Embrace Ends Material BondageThis 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 10.38.20? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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