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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

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
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

10.38.8 10.38.10

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.38.9

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

द्रक्ष्यामि नूनं सुकपोलनासिकं

स्मितावलोकारुणकञ्जलोचनम् ।

मुखं मुकुन्दस्य गुडालकावृतं

प्रदक्षिणं मे प्रचरन्ति वै मृगा: ॥ ९ ॥

drakṣyāmi nūnaṁ su-kapola-nāsikaṁ

smitāvalokāruṇa-kañja-locanam

mukhaṁ mukundasya guḍālakāvṛtaṁ

pradakṣiṇaṁ me pracaranti vai mṛgāḥ

Translation

Surely I shall see the face of Lord Mukunda, since the deer are now walking past me on my right. That face, framed by His curly hair, is beautified by His attractive cheeks and nose, His smiling glances and His reddish lotus eyes.

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.

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Eagerly Anticipating the Lord’s Beautiful Face

1
Akrūra saw deer passing on his right and understood this as an auspicious omen.
2
He therefore felt certain that he would see the Supreme Lord Kṛṣṇa.
3
He pictured Lord Mukunda’s face, framed by curly hair, with attractive cheeks and nose, smiling glances and reddish lotus eyes.

Key points from the purport

Akrūra saw an auspicious omen — the passing of the deer on his right — and thus felt sure he would 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

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 summary Back to this verse in chapter 10.38