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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

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 39: Akrūra’s Vision

10.39.19 10.39.21

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.39.20

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:The gopīssince 10.39.19inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

यस्त्वं प्रदर्श्यासितकुन्तलावृतं

मुकुन्दवक्त्रं सुकपोलमुन्नसम् ।

शोकापनोदस्मितलेशसुन्दरं

करोषि पारोक्ष्यमसाधु ते कृतम् ॥ २० ॥

yas tvaṁ pradarśyāsita-kuntalāvṛtaṁ

mukunda-vaktraṁ su-kapolam un-nasam

śokāpanoda-smita-leśa-sundaraṁ

karoṣi pārokṣyam asādhu te kṛtam

Translation

Having shown us Mukunda’s face, framed by dark locks and beautified by His fine cheeks, raised nose and gentle smiles, which eradicate all misery, you are now making that face invisible. This behavior of yours is not at all good.

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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.

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Mukunda's Gentle Smiles Remove Misery

1
The gopīs remembered Mukunda's face, framed by dark locks and adorned with fine cheeks and a raised nose.
2
His gentle smiles beautified His face and eradicated all misery.
3
They protested that Providence, having shown them that face, was now making it invisible. They could not welcome losing sight of Him.

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

Chapter 39: Akrūra’s Vision

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

With their minds completely absorbed in Kṛṣṇa, the cowherd girls stood as still as figures in a painting until they could no longer see the chariot’s flag or the dust cloud being raised on the road. Then, chanting Kṛṣṇa’s glories all the while, they despondently returned to their homes.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in chapter 10.39