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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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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 49: Akrūra’s Mission in Hastināpura
10.49.1110.49.13

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.49.12

Āśraya· The supreme shelter
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Queen Kuntīsince 10.49.8inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

नान्यत्तव पदाम्भोजात् पश्यामि शरणं नृणाम् ।

बिभ्यतां मृत्युसंसारादीश्वरस्यापवर्गिकात् ॥ १२ ॥

nānyat tava padāmbhojāt

paśyāmi śaraṇaṁ nṛṇām

bibhyatāṁ mṛtyu-saṁsārād

īsvarasyāpavargikāt

Translation

For persons fearful of death and rebirth, I see no shelter other than Your liberating lotus feet, for You are the Supreme Lord.

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.

Kṛṣṇa’s Lotus Feet Are the Only Shelter

  1. 1

    Kuntī spoke of the fear of death and rebirth.

  2. 2

    She saw no shelter other than Kṛṣṇa’s liberating lotus feet.

  3. 3

    Her confidence rested on His being the Supreme Lord. Her prayer directs us toward devoted dependence on Him.

How it feels

Heartache → Unbroken remembrance. Love endures and deepens despite visible absence.

Chapters 46–49 of Canto 10: Uddhava, the gopīs and the Song of the Bee. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 49: Akrūra’s Mission in Hastināpura

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Akrūra told the King, “You have assumed the royal throne after the death of Pāṇḍu. Seeing all equally, which is the religious duty of kings, you should protect all your subjects and personal relations.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.49
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. nano
  2. anyatother
  3. tavaYour
  4. pada-ambhojātthan the lotus feet
  5. paśyāmiI see
  6. śaraṇamshelter
  7. nṛṇāmfor men
  8. bibhyatāmfearful
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Āśraya · The summum bonum

    Who is the shelter of everything? · Subject 10 of 10

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 10.49

    In this verse: “fearful”, “death”, “fear”

  • Śaraṇāgati · Wholehearted surrender

    Relinquishing ownership while entrusting oneself to the Lord. · Theme in SB 10.49

    In this verse: “shelter”

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 would it mean for me to seek shelter at Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet?

Practice

Offer a brief prayer at Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet, asking to take shelter of Him through devotional service.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa’s Lotus Feet Are the Only ShelterThis 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 10.49.12? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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