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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
10.38.2210.38.24

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.38.23

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

किं चाग्रजो मावनतं यदूत्तम:

स्मयन् परिष्वज्य गृहीतमञ्जलौ ।

गृहं प्रवेष्याप्तसमस्तसत्कृतं

सम्प्रक्ष्यते कंसकृतं स्वबन्धुषु ॥ २३ ॥

kiṁ cāgrajo māvanataṁ yadūttamaḥ

smayan pariṣvajya gṛhītam añjalau

gṛhaṁ praveṣyāpta-samasta-satkṛtaṁ

samprakṣyate kaṁsa-kṛtaṁ sva-bandhuṣu

Translation

And then Lord Kṛṣṇa’s elder brother, the foremost of the Yadus, will grasp my joined hands while I am still standing with my head bowed, and after embracing me He will take me to His house. There He will honor me with all items of ritual welcome and inquire from me about how Kaṁsa has been treating His family members.

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.

A Loving Welcome and Personal Care

  1. 1

    Akrūra imagines Kṛṣṇa’s elder brother grasping his joined hands while he stands with his head bowed.

  2. 2

    He expects an embrace and a welcome into His house, where he will receive all items of ritual honor.

  3. 3

    He also expects an inquiry about how Kaṁsa has treated His family members. This welcome includes concern for their welfare.

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. kim cafurthermore
  2. agra-jaḥHis elder brother (Lord Balarāma)
  3. māme
  4. avanatamwho am standing with head bowed
  5. yadu-uttamaḥthe most exalted of the Yadus
  6. smayansmiling
  7. pariṣvajyaembracing
  8. gṛhītamtaken hold of
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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 10.38

    In this verse: “inquire”, “inquiry”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 10.38

    In this verse: “welfare”

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 make my welcome to someone both respectful and caring?

Practice

Welcome someone warmly today and ask sincerely about their family’s well-being.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 10.38's connections

Live this todayA Loving Welcome and Personal CareThis 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 10.38.23? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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