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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.
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Canto 10 · Chapter 38: Akrūra’s Arrival in Vṛndāvana
10.38.710.38.9

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.38.8

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.38.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

यदर्चितं ब्रह्मभवादिभि: सुरै:

श्रिया च देव्या मुनिभि: ससात्वतै: ।

गोचारणायानुचरैश्चरद्वने

यद् गोपिकानां कुचकुङ्कुमाङ्कितम् ॥ ८ ॥

yad arcitaṁ brahma-bhavādibhiḥ suraiḥ

śriyā ca devyā munibhiḥ sa-sātvataiḥ

go-cāraṇāyānucaraiś carad vane

yad gopikānāṁ kuca-kuṅkumāṅkitam

Translation

Those lotus feet are worshiped by Brahmā, Śiva and all the other demigods, by the goddess of fortune, and also by the great sages and Vaiṣṇavas. Upon those lotus feet the Lord walks about the forest while herding the cows with His companions, and those feet are smeared with the kuṅkuma from the gopīs’ breasts.

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.

The Worshiped Lord Walks Among His Devotees

  1. 1

    The Lord’s lotus feet are worshiped by Brahmā, Śiva, the other demigods and the goddess of fortune.

  2. 2

    Great sages and Vaiṣṇavas also worship those lotus feet. Upon those same feet, the Lord walks in the forest, herding cows with His companions.

  3. 3

    His lotus feet are smeared with kuṅkuma from the gopīs’ breasts.

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:

As he traveled, he thought as follows: “I am about to attain the great good fortune of seeing Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet, which are worshiped by Brahmā, Rudra and the other demigods. 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.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.38
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yatwhich (lotus feet)
  2. arcitamworshiped
  3. brahma-bhavaby Brahmā and Śiva
  4. ādibhiḥand other
  5. suraiḥdemigods
  6. śriyāby Śrī
  7. caalso
  8. devyāthe goddess of fortune
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

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 10.38

    In this verse: “companions”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “worshiped”

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

What moves you about the same Lord receiving exalted worship and walking with His companions?

Practice

Spend one quiet minute remembering the Lord’s lotus feet as He walks through the forest with the cows and His companions.

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 todayThe Worshiped Lord Walks Among His 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 10.38.8? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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