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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

10.39.46-48 10.39.51-52

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Texts 10.39.49-50

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

बृहत्कटितटश्रोणिकरभोरुद्वयान्वितम् ।

चारुजानुयुगं चारुजङ्घायुगलसंयुतम् ॥ ४९ ॥

तुङ्गगुल्फारुणनखव्रातदीधितिभिर्वृतम् ।

नवाङ्गुल्यङ्गुष्ठदलैर्विलसत् पादपङ्कजम् ॥ ५० ॥

bṛhat-kati-tata-śroṇi

karabhoru-dvayānvitam

cāru-jānu-yugaṁ cāru

jaṅghā-yugala-saṁyutam

tuṅga-gulphāruṇa-nakha

vrāta-dīdhitibhir vṛtam

navāṅguly-aṅguṣṭha-dalair

vilasat-pāda-paṅkajam

Translation

He had large loins and hips, thighs like an elephant’s trunk, and shapely knees and shanks. His raised ankles reflected the brilliant effulgence emanating from the nails on His petallike toes, which beautified His lotus feet.

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.

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Beauty of the Lord’s Lotus Feet

1
The Lord had large loins and hips, with thighs like an elephant’s trunk.
2
His knees and shanks were shapely, and His ankles were raised.
3
Brilliant effulgence shone from the nails on His petallike toes and reflected on His ankles. These toes beautified His lotus feet.

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