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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.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›
Canto 10 · Chapter 39: Akrūra’s Vision
10.39.49-5010.39.53-55

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Texts 10.39.51-52

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

सुमहार्हमणिव्रातकिरीटकटकाङ्गदै: ।

कटिसूत्रब्रह्मसूत्रहारनूपुरकुण्डलै: ॥ ५१ ॥

भ्राजमानं पद्मकरं शङ्खचक्रगदाधरम् ।

श्रीवत्सवक्षसं भ्राजत्कौस्तुभं वनमालिनम् ॥ ५२ ॥

su-mahārha-maṇi-vrāta

kirīṭa-kaṭakāṅgadaiḥ

kaṭi-sūtra-brahma-sūtra

hāra-nūpura-kuṇḍalaiḥ

bhrājamānaṁ padma-karaṁ

śaṅkha-cakra-gadā-dharam

śrīvatsa-vakṣasaṁ bhrājat

kaustubhaṁ vana-mālinam

Translation

Adorned with a helmet, bracelets and armlets, which were all bedecked with many priceless jewels, and also with a belt, a sacred thread, necklaces, ankle bells and earrings, the Lord shone with dazzling effulgence. In one hand He held a lotus flower, in the others a conchshell, discus and club. Gracing His chest were the Śrīvatsa mark, the brilliant Kaustubha gem and a flower garland.

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.

The Lord Shines with Divine Splendor

  1. 1

    The Lord shone with dazzling effulgence. His helmet, bracelets and armlets were bedecked with many priceless jewels.

  2. 2

    He held a lotus flower, a conchshell, a discus and a club in His four hands.

  3. 3

    The Śrīvatsa mark, brilliant Kaustubha gem and flower garland graced His chest. He also wore a belt, sacred thread, necklaces, ankle bells and earrings.

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:

Lord Vāsudeva was receiving the prayers of perfected beings, celestial serpents and demons, and He was encircled by His personal attendants. Serving Him were His many potencies, such as Śrī, Puṣṭi and Ilā, while Brahmā and other demigods sang His praises.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.39
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. su-mahāgreatly
  2. arhaprecious
  3. maṇi-vrātahaving many gems
  4. kirīṭawith helmets
  5. kaṭakabracelets
  6. aṅgadaiḥand armlets
  7. kaṭi-sūtrawith belt
  8. brahma-sūtrasacred thread
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

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 10.39

    In this verse: “graced”

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 feature of the Lord’s appearance would you like to remember more attentively?

Practice

Read aloud the four objects held by the Lord, then briefly remember His described form.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord Shines with Divine SplendorThis 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 10.39.51-52? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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