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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 41: Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma Enter Mathurā
10.41.1010.41.12

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.41.11

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Akrūrasince 10.41.11inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

श्रीअक्रूर उवाच

नाहं भवद्‌भ्यां रहित: प्रवेक्ष्ये मथुरां प्रभो ।

त्यक्तुं नार्हसि मां नाथ भक्तं ते भक्तवत्सल ॥ ११ ॥

śrī-akrūra uvāca

nāhaṁ bhavadbhyāṁ rahitaḥ

pravekṣye mathurāṁ prabho

tyaktuṁ nārhasi māṁ nātha

bhaktaṁ te bhakta-vatsala

Translation

Śrī Akrūra said: O master, without the two of You I shall not enter Mathurā. I am Your devotee, O Lord, so it is not fair for You to abandon me, since You are always affectionate to Your devotees.

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.

Trust the Lord’s Affection for His Devotees

  1. 1

    Akrūra does not wish to enter Mathurā without Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma. He openly expresses his desire to remain with Them.

  2. 2

    He approaches the Lord as His devotee and asks not to be abandoned.

  3. 3

    Akrūra’s appeal rests on the Lord’s constant affection for His devotees.

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 41: Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma Enter Mathurā

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Kṛṣṇa, Balarāma and Akrūra reached Mathurā late in the afternoon. After meeting up with Nanda Mahārāja and the other cowherds, who had gone on ahead, Kṛṣṇa asked Akrūra to return home, promising to visit him there after He had killed Kaṁsa.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.41
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śrī-akrūraḥ uvācaŚrī Akrūra said
  2. nacannot
  3. ahamI
  4. bhavadbhyāmof the two of You
  5. rahitaḥdeprived
  6. pravekṣyeenter
  7. mathurāmMathurā
  8. prabhoO master
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 10.41

    In this verse: “devotee”

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 can Akrūra’s prayer help me approach the Lord with trust?

Practice

Offer a short prayer asking to remain close to Kṛṣṇa through devotional service.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayTrust the Lord’s Affection for His DevoteesThis 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 10.41.11? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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