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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
10.38.4110.38.43

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.38.42

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Nanda Mahārājasince 10.38.41inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

योऽवधीत्स्वस्वसुस्तोकान्क्रोशन्त्या असुतृप्खल: ।

किं नु स्वित्तत्प्रजानां व: कुशलं विमृशामहे ॥ ४२ ॥

yo ’vadhīt sva-svasus tokān

krośantyā asu-tṛp khalaḥ

kiṁ nu svit tat-prajānāṁ vaḥ

kuśalaṁ vimṛśāmahe

Translation

That cruel, self-serving Kaṁsa murdered the infants of his own sister in her presence, even as she cried in anguish. So why should we even ask about the well-being of you, his subjects?

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.

Self-Serving Cruelty Endangers Those in One’s Care

  1. 1

    Kaṁsa was cruel and self-serving, killing even the infants of his own sister.

  2. 2

    He committed these acts in her presence while she cried in anguish.

  3. 3

    Such cruelty toward his own family left little reason to expect well-being for his subjects.

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. yaḥwho
  2. avadhītkilled
  3. svaof his own
  4. svasuḥsister
  5. tokānthe babies
  6. krośantyāḥwho was crying
  7. asu-tṛpself-indulgent
  8. khalaḥcruel
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Viraha · Longing in separation

    Love and remembrance experienced in apparent absence. · Theme in SB 10.38

    In this verse: “cried”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

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

    In this verse: “infants”

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 might self-interest make you overlook another person’s distress?

Practice

When someone expresses distress today, pause your own concerns and give them your attention.

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 todaySelf-Serving Cruelty Endangers Those in One’s 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 10.38.42? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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