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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 39: Akrūra’s Vision

10.39.25 10.39.27

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.39.26

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

मैतद्विधस्याकरुणस्य नाम भू-

दक्रूर इत्येतदतीव दारुण: ।

योऽसावनाश्वास्य सुदु:खितं जनं

प्रियात्प्रियं नेष्यति पारमध्वन: ॥ २६ ॥

maitad-vidhasyākaruṇasya nāma bhūd

akrūra ity etad atīva dāruṇaḥ

yo ’sāv anāśvāsya su-duḥkhitam janaṁ

priyāt priyaṁ neṣyati pāram adhvanaḥ

Translation

He who is doing this merciless deed should not be called Akrūra. He is so extremely cruel that without even trying to console the sorrowful residents of Vraja, he is taking away Kṛṣṇa, who is more dear to us than life itself.

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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.

Kṛṣṇa Is Dearer Than Life

1
The gopīs call the deed merciless and say that its doer should not be called Akrūra.
2
They grieve that he is taking Kṛṣṇa away without even trying to console the sorrowful residents of Vraja.
3
Their words reveal that Kṛṣṇa is more dear to them than life itself.

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:

They said that Akrūra did not deserve his name ( a, “not”; krūra, “cruel”), since he was so cruel to be taking away their dearmost Kṛṣṇa. “It must be that fate is against us,” they lamented, “because otherwise the elders of Vraja would have forbidden Kṛṣṇa to leave.

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