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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 39: Akrūra’s Vision
10.39.110.39.3

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.39.2

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.39.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

किमलभ्यं भगवति प्रसन्ने श्रीनिकेतने ।

तथापि तत्परा राजन्न हि वाञ्छन्ति किञ्चन ॥ २ ॥

kim alabhyaṁ bhagavati

prasanne śrī-niketane

tathāpi tat-parā rājan

na hi vāñchanti kiñcana

Translation

My dear King, what is unattainable for one who has satisfied the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the shelter of the goddess of fortune? Even so, those who are dedicated to His devotional service never want anything from Him.

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.

Devotional Service Without Asking for Rewards

  1. 1

    Nothing is unattainable for one who has satisfied the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

  2. 2

    The Supreme Lord is the shelter of the goddess of fortune.

  3. 3

    Yet those dedicated to His devotional service do not want anything from Him. Their aim is service, not rewards.

How it feels

Anxiety and conflict → Liberation and joy. Heroic victory is complicated by separation from Vraja.

Chapters 39–45 of Canto 10: Mathurā, Kaṁsa and reunion with parents. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 39: Akrūra’s Vision

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Nanda then issued an order to all the residents of Vraja that they should collect various offerings for the King and prepare to go to Mathurā. The young gopīs were extremely upset to hear that Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma would be going to Mathurā.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.39
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. kimwhat
  2. alabhyamis unattainable
  3. bhagavatithe Supreme Lord
  4. prasannebeing satisfied
  5. śrīof the goddess of fortune
  6. niketanethe resting place
  7. tathā apinevertheless
  8. tat-parāḥthose who are devoted to Him
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 10.39

    In this verse: “devotional service”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 10.39

    In this verse: “king”

  • Śaraṇāgati · Wholehearted surrender

    Relinquishing ownership while entrusting oneself to the Lord. · Theme in SB 10.39

    In this verse: “shelter”

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

Do I approach the Lord mainly to serve Him or to ask for something?

Practice

Offer one prayer today expressing a desire to serve the Lord, without asking for a reward.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDevotional Service Without Asking for RewardsThis 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 10.39.2? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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