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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

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
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

10.38.26 10.38.28-33

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.38.27

Mukti· Liberation

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.38.24inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

देहंभृतामियानर्थो हित्वा दम्भं भियं शुचम् ।

सन्देशाद् यो हरेर्लिङ्गदर्शनश्रवणादिभि: ॥ २७ ॥

dehaṁ-bhṛtām iyān artho

hitvā dambhaṁ bhiyaṁ śucam

sandeśād yo harer liṅga-

darśana-śravaṇādibhiḥ

Translation

The very goal of life for all embodied beings is this ecstasy, which Akrūra experienced when, upon receiving Kaṁsa’s order, he put aside all pride, fear and lamentation and absorbed himself in seeing, hearing and describing the things that reminded him of Lord Kṛṣṇa.

Read the purport on Vedabase.io

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.

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Devotional Absorption Is Life’s Goal

1
The verse identifies Akrūra’s ecstasy as the goal of life for all embodied beings. He absorbed himself in seeing, hearing and describing things that reminded him of Kṛṣṇa.
2
Akrūra gave up fear by openly showing love and reverence for Kṛṣṇa despite the danger from Kaṁsa. He also gave up lamenting over his endangered house, wife and family.
3
He gave up pride in his aristocratic position and worshiped the cowherd residents of Vṛndāvana. Setting these concerns aside, he rolled in the dust of God’s lotus feet.

Key points from the purport

Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī explains that Akrūra gave up fear by openly showing his love and reverence for Kṛṣṇa, even though he or his family might have been punished by the angry Kaṁsa.
Akrūra gave up his pride in being an aristocratic member of society and worshiped the cowherd residents of the simple village of Vṛndāvana.
And he gave up lamenting for his house, wife and family, which were in danger from King Kaṁsa.

The purport's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

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

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 summary Back to this verse in chapter 10.38

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

deham-bhṛtāmof embodied beings
iyānthis much
arthaḥthe goal of life
hitvāgiving up
dambhampride
bhiyamfear
śucamand sorrow
sandeśātbeginning from his being ordered (by Kaṁsa)

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
Prema · Transcendental love
The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 10.38
In this verse: “ecstasy”, “love”
Viraha · Longing in separation
Love and remembrance experienced in apparent absence. · Theme in SB 10.38
In this verse: “lamentation”, “lamenting”
Abhaya · Fearlessness
Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 10.38
In this verse: “fear”, “danger”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Which most distracts me from devotional service today: pride, fear or lamentation?

Practice

Set aside five minutes to read aloud about Kṛṣṇa, gently turning your attention back to Him when worries arise.

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Connected stories

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

KaṁsaSB 10.1–4 · Kṛṣṇa’s appearanceKṛṣṇa appears by His own spiritual energy, not as an ordinary conditioned soul. His name, form, and attributes are understood through devotional service.

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

Live this todayDevotional Absorption Is Life’s GoalThis 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 10.38.27? Get an answer from the verses themselves.

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