1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 10 · The Summum Bonum · 90 chapters

123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536373839404142434445464748495051525354555657585960616263646566676869707172737475767778798081828384858687888990

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
10.38.3510.38.37-38

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.38.36

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.38.24inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

भगवांस्तमभिप्रेत्य रथाङ्गाङ्कितपाणिना ।

परिरेभेऽभ्युपाकृष्य प्रीत: प्रणतवत्सल: ॥ ३६ ॥

bhagavāṁs tam abhipretya

rathāṅgāṅkita-pāṇinā

parirebhe ’bhyupākṛṣya

prītaḥ praṇata-vatsalaḥ

Translation

Recognizing Akrūra, Lord Kṛṣṇa drew him close with His hand, which bears the sign of the chariot wheel, and then embraced him. Kṛṣṇa felt pleased, for He is always benignly disposed toward His surrendered devotees.

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.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Kṛṣṇa Welcomes His Surrendered Devotees

  1. 1

    Recognizing Akrūra, Lord Kṛṣṇa drew him close with His hand and embraced him with pleasure.

  2. 2

    Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is always kindly disposed toward His surrendered devotees.

  3. 3

    According to the ācāryas, Kṛṣṇa’s extended hand, marked with the chariot wheel, or cakra, indicated His ability to kill Kaṁsa.

Key points from the purport
  • According to the ācāryas, by extending His hand marked with the chariot wheel, or cakra, Lord Kṛṣṇa indicated His ability to kill 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

Further reading

Chapter 38: Akrūra’s Arrival in Vṛndāvana

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

When he saw Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma he fell at Their lotus feet, and both the Lords embraced him. Afterward They brought him to Their residence, inquired from him about the comfort of his trip and honored him in various ways — offering him water for washing his feet, arghya, a seat and so forth.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.38
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. bhagavānthe Supreme Lord
  2. tamhim, Akrūra
  3. abhipretyarecognizing
  4. ratha-aṅgawith a chariot wheel
  5. aṅkitamarked
  6. pāṇināby His hand
  7. parirebheHe embraced
  8. abhyupākṛṣyapulling near
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 10.38

    In this verse: “devotees”

  • Śaraṇāgati · Wholehearted surrender

    Relinquishing ownership while entrusting oneself to the Lord. · Theme in SB 10.38

    In this verse: “surrendered”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

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

    In this verse: “kindly”

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 does Kṛṣṇa’s kindness toward surrendered devotees encourage your devotional service?

Practice

Take a quiet moment today to offer Kṛṣṇa a prayer of surrender, remembering His kindness.

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 todayKṛṣṇa Welcomes His Surrendered DevoteesThis 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 10.38.36? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories