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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
  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
10.38.410.38.6

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.38.5

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.38.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

मैवं ममाधमस्यापि स्यादेवाच्युतदर्शनम् ।

ह्रियमाण: कालनद्या क्‍वचित्तरति कश्चन ॥ ५ ॥

maivaṁ mamādhamasyāpi

syād evācyuta-darśanam

hriyamāṇaḥ kala-nadyā

kvacit tarati kaścana

Translation

But enough of such thoughts! After all, even a fallen soul like me can have the chance to behold the infallible Supreme Lord, for one of the conditioned souls being swept along in the river of time may sometimes reach the shore.

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.

Humility Need Not Become Hopelessness

  1. 1

    Akrūra stopped dwelling on thoughts that he could not see the Lord.

  2. 2

    Even though he considered himself fallen, he recognized that he could still behold the infallible Supreme Lord.

  3. 3

    He compared this possibility to a conditioned soul reaching the shore after being swept along in the river of time.

Connected verses· 1

Quoted in the purport ofCC Madhya 22.44

This verse from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.38.5) was spoken by Akrūra.

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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:

Although Kaṁsa is an enemy of the Supreme Lord and His devotees, still, it is by Kaṁsa’s grace that I will get this great boon of seeing the Lord. When I first catch sight of His lotus feet, all my sinful reactions will be destroyed at once.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.38
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. mā evamI should not think like this
  2. mamafor me
  3. adhamasyawho am most fallen
  4. apieven
  5. syātit may come about
  6. evacertainly
  7. acyutaof the infallible Lord
  8. darśanamthe sight
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

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

Does awareness of your shortcomings lead you toward the Lord or into discouragement?

Practice

When discouragement arises today, reread this verse and remember that even a fallen soul can have the chance to behold the Lord.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHumility Need Not Become HopelessnessThis 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 10.38.5? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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