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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
10.38.4010.38.42

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.38.41

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Nanda Mahārājasince 10.38.41inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

पप्रच्छ सत्कृतं नन्द: कथं स्थ निरनुग्रहे ।

कंसे जीवति दाशार्ह सौनपाला इवावय: ॥ ४१ ॥

papraccha sat-kṛtaṁ nandaḥ

kathaṁ stha niranugrahe

kaṁse jīvati dāśārha

sauna-pālā ivāvayaḥ

Translation

Nanda Mahārāja asked Akrūra: O descendant of Daśārha, how are all of you maintaining yourselves while that merciless Kaṁsa remains alive? You are just like sheep under the care of a butcher.

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.

Concern for Those Under Merciless Rule

  1. 1

    Nanda Mahārāja asked Akrūra how he and the others were maintaining themselves while merciless Kaṁsa remained alive.

  2. 2

    His inquiry expressed concern about their life under Kaṁsa’s rule.

  3. 3

    He compared their situation to sheep under the care of a butcher, showing how dangerous their supposed protection was.

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:

They relieved him of his fatigue by massaging his feet and served him a delicious banquet. Mahārāja Nanda also honored Akrūra with many sweet words.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.38
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. papracchaasked
  2. sat-kṛtamwho had been honored
  3. nandaḥNanda Mahārāja
  4. kathamhow
  5. sthayou are living
  6. niranugrahethe merciless
  7. kaṁseKaṁsa
  8. jīvatiwhile he is alive
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

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 10.38

    In this verse: “nanda”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 10.38

    In this verse: “dangerous”

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 10.38

    In this verse: “protection”

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 attentive are you to the difficulties behind someone’s outward circumstances?

Practice

Ask someone facing a difficult situation how they are managing, and listen carefully.

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 todayConcern for Those Under Merciless RuleThis 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 10.38.41? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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