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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
10.38.610.38.8

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.38.7

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.38.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

कंसो बताद्याकृत मेऽत्यनुग्रहं

द्रक्ष्येऽङ्‍‍‍‍‍घ्रिपद्मं प्रहितोऽमुना हरे: ।

कृतावतारस्य दुरत्ययं तम:

पूर्वेऽतरन् यन्नखमण्डलत्विषा ॥ ७ ॥

kaṁso batādyākṛta me ’ty-anugrahaṁ

drakṣye ’ṅghri-padmaṁ prahito ’munā hareḥ

kṛtāvatārasya duratyayaṁ tamaḥ

pūrve ’taran yan-nakha-maṇḍala-tviṣā

Translation

Indeed, today King Kaṁsa has shown me extreme mercy by sending me to see the lotus feet of Lord Hari, who has now appeared in this world. Simply by the effulgence of His toenails, many souls in the past have transcended the insurmountable darkness of material existence and achieved liberation.

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.

An Unexpected Opportunity for Mercy

  1. 1

    Akrūra saw extraordinary kindness in being sent to see Lord Hari’s lotus feet.

  2. 2

    The purport points out the irony: the envious, demoniac Kaṁsa had given him this blessing by sending him to the Supreme Lord Kṛṣṇa.

  3. 3

    Simply by the effulgence of the Lord’s toenails, many souls had crossed the darkness of material existence and achieved liberation.

Key points from the purport
  • Akrūra noted how ironic it was that the envious, demoniac Kaṁsa had given him an extraordinary blessing by sending him to see the Supreme Lord Kṛṣṇa.

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:

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. kaṁsaḥKing Kaṁsa
  2. bataindeed
  3. adyatoday
  4. akṛtahas done
  5. metoward me
  6. ati-anugrahaman act of extreme kindness
  7. drakṣyeI will see
  8. aṅghri-padmamthe lotus feet
3

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

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 10.38

    In this verse: “mercy”, “blessing”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 10.38

    In this verse: “material”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 10.38

    In this verse: “king”

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

Have you received an unexpected opportunity to turn toward Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Write down one unexpected opportunity you have had to remember Kṛṣṇa, and express gratitude for it.

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 todayAn Unexpected Opportunity for MercyThis 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 10.38.7? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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