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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
10.38.2510.38.27

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.38.26

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.38.24inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

तद्दर्शनाह्लादविवृद्धसम्भ्रम:

प्रेम्णोर्ध्वरोमाश्रुकलाकुलेक्षण: ।

रथादवस्कन्द्य स तेष्वचेष्टत

प्रभोरमून्यङ्‍‍‍‍‍घ्रिरजांस्यहो इति ॥ २६ ॥

tad-darśanāhlāda-vivṛddha-sambhramaḥ

premṇordhva-romāśru-kalākulekṣaṇaḥ

rathād avaskandya sa teṣv aceṣṭata

prabhor amūny aṅghri-rajāṁsy aho iti

Translation

Increasingly agitated by ecstasy at seeing the Lord’s footprints, his bodily hairs standing on end because of his pure love, and his eyes filled with tears, Akrūra jumped down from his chariot and began rolling about among those footprints, exclaiming, “Ah, this is the dust from my master’s feet!”

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.

Pure Love for the Master’s Feet

  1. 1

    Seeing the Lord’s footprints filled Akrūra with increasing ecstasy.

  2. 2

    Because of his pure love, his bodily hairs stood on end and his eyes filled with tears.

  3. 3

    He jumped down from his chariot and rolled among the footprints, exclaiming that this was the dust from his master’s feet.

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:

Alighting from his chariot in the cowherd pasture, he began rolling about in the dust in great ecstasy. Then Akrūra continued on to Vraja.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.38
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tatof Lord Kṛṣṇa’s footprints
  2. darśanafrom the sight
  3. āhlādaby the ecstasy
  4. vivṛddhagreatly increased
  5. sambhramaḥwhose agitation
  6. premṇāout of pure love
  7. ūrdhvastanding erect
  8. romawhose bodily hairs
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

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 10.38

    In this verse: “love”, “ecstasy”

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 does Akrūra’s phrase “my master’s feet” reveal about his relationship with the Lord?

Practice

Offer a short prayer acknowledging Kṛṣṇa as your master and expressing your wish to serve Him.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayPure Love for the Master’s FeetThis 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 10.38.26? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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