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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
10.39.3810.39.40

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.39.39

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.39.31inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

तत्रोपस्पृश्य पानीयं पीत्वा मृष्टं मणिप्रभम् ।

वृक्षषण्डमुपव्रज्य सरामो रथमाविशत् ॥ ३९ ॥

tatropaspṛśya pānīyaṁ

pītvā mṛṣṭaṁ maṇi-prabham

vṛkṣa-ṣaṇḍam upavrajya

sa-rāmo ratham āviśat

Translation

The river’s sweet water was more effulgent than brilliant jewels. After Lord Kṛṣṇa had touched it for purification, He drank some from His hand. Then He had the chariot moved near a grove of trees and climbed back on, along with Balarāma.

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.

Remembering Kṛṣṇa Beside the River

  1. 1

    The river’s sweet water was more effulgent than brilliant jewels.

  2. 2

    Lord Kṛṣṇa touched the water for purification and drank some from His hand.

  3. 3

    He had the chariot moved near a grove of trees and climbed back onto it with Balarāma.

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:

Akrūra halted the chariot at the bank of the Yamunā so Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma could perform a ritual of purification and drink some water. After the two Lords had gotten back into the chariot, Akrūra took Their permission to bathe in the Yamunā.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.39
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tatrathere
  2. upaspṛśyatouching the water
  3. pānīyamin His hand
  4. pītvādrinking
  5. mṛṣṭamsweet
  6. maṇilike jewels
  7. prabhameffulgent
  8. vṛkṣaof trees
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

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 10.39

    In this verse: “sweet”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 10.39

    In this verse: “purification”

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

Which detail of Kṛṣṇa’s actions beside the river helps you remember Him most clearly?

Practice

Read the translation once and recall its sequence: touching the water, drinking, and returning to the chariot.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRemembering Kṛṣṇa Beside the RiverThis 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 10.39.39? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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