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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
10.39.4010.39.42-43

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.39.41

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

निमज्ज्य तस्मिन्सलिले जपन्ब्रह्म सनातनम् ।

तावेव दद‍ृशेऽक्रूरो रामकृष्णौ समन्वितौ ॥ ४१ ॥

nimajjya tasmin salile

japan brahma sanātanam

tāv eva dadṛśe ’krūro

rāma-kṛṣṇau samanvitau

Translation

While immersing himself in the water and reciting eternal mantras from the Vedas, Akrūra suddenly saw Balarāma and Kṛṣṇa before 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.

Akrūra Sees Balarāma and Kṛṣṇa

  1. 1

    Akrūra immersed himself in the water.

  2. 2

    As he did so, he recited eternal mantras from the Vedas.

  3. 3

    He suddenly saw Balarāma and Kṛṣṇa together before 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

Further reading

Chapter 39: Akrūra’s Vision

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

As he recited Vedic mantras, he was startled to see the two Lords standing in the water. Akrūra came out of the river and returned to the chariot — where he saw the Lords still sitting.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.39
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. nimajjyaimmersing himself
  2. tasminin that
  3. salilewater
  4. japanreciting
  5. brahmaVedic mantras
  6. sanātanameternal
  7. tauThem
  8. evaindeed
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

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 10.39

    In this verse: “reciting”, “recited”

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

What strikes you about Akrūra’s sudden vision while reciting Vedic mantras?

Practice

Spend a quiet minute recalling Akrūra reciting eternal Vedic mantras and suddenly seeing Balarāma and Kṛṣṇa.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayAkrūra Sees Balarāma and KṛṣṇaThis 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 10.39.41? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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