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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.
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Canto 10 · Chapter 39: Akrūra’s Vision
10.39.210.39.4

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.39.3

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.39.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

सायन्तनाशनं कृत्वा भगवान् देवकीसुत: ।

सुहृत्सु वृत्तं कंसस्य पप्रच्छान्यच्चिकीर्षितम् ॥ ३ ॥

sāyantanāśanaṁ kṛtvā

bhagavān devakī-sutaḥ

suhṛtsu vṛttaṁ kaṁsasya

papracchānyac cikīrṣitam

Translation

After the evening meal, Lord Kṛṣṇa, the son of Devakī, asked Akrūra how Kaṁsa was treating their dear relatives and friends and what the King was planning to do.

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.

Kṛṣṇa Inquires About His Dear Ones

  1. 1

    After the evening meal, Lord Kṛṣṇa, the son of Devakī, spoke with Akrūra.

  2. 2

    He asked how Kaṁsa was treating their dear relatives and friends.

  3. 3

    He also asked what the King was planning to do.

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:

After the evening meal, Kṛṣṇa asked Akrūra whether his trip had been peaceful and whether he was well. The Lord also inquired about how Kaṁsa was behaving toward their family members, and finally He asked why Akrūra had come.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.39
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. sāyantanaof the evening
  2. aśanamthe dining
  3. kṛtvāhaving done
  4. bhagavānthe Supreme Lord
  5. devakī-sutaḥthe son of Devakī
  6. suhṛtsutoward His well-wishing relatives and friends
  7. vṛttamabout the behavior
  8. kaṁsasyaof Kaṁsa
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 10.39

    In this verse: “friends”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 10.39

    In this verse: “king”

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

How carefully do I ask about the circumstances of those dear to me?

Practice

Ask a friend or relative today how they are being treated, and listen attentively.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa Inquires About His Dear OnesThis 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 10.39.3? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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