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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 49: Akrūra’s Mission in Hastināpura
10.49.1610.49.18

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.49.17

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Akrūrasince 10.49.17inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

अक्रूर उवाच

भो भो वैचित्रवीर्य त्वं कुरूणां कीर्तिवर्धन ।

भ्रातर्युपरते पाण्डावधुनासनमास्थित: ॥ १७ ॥

akrūra uvāca

bho bho vaicitravīrya tvaṁ

kurūṇāṁ kīrti-vardhana

bhrātary uparate pāṇḍāv

adhunāsanam āsthitaḥ

Translation

Akrūra said: O my dear son of Vicitravīrya, O enhancer of the Kurus’ glory, your brother Pāṇḍu having passed away, you have now assumed the royal throne.

Read the purport on Vedabase.io

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.

Recognize the Rights of Others

  1. 1

    Akrūra addressed Dhṛtarāṣṭra as an enhancer of the Kurus’ glory. The purport explains that he was speaking ironically.

  2. 2

    Pāṇḍu’s sons had been too young to govern when their father died. They were therefore placed in Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s care.

  3. 3

    Sufficient time had now passed for their legitimate rights to be recognized. The sons of Pāṇḍu should actually have occupied the throne.

Key points from the purport
  • Akrūra was speaking ironically, since the young sons of Pāṇḍu should actually have been occupying the throne.
  • Upon the death of Pāṇḍu, they were too young to immediately govern and so were put in Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s care, but now sufficient time had passed, and their legitimate rights should have been recognized.

The purport's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

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. akrūraḥ uvācaAkrūra said
  2. bhoḥ bhoḥO my dear, my dear
  3. vaicitravīryason of Vicitravīrya
  4. tvamyou
  5. kurūṇāmof the Kurus
  6. kīrtithe glory
  7. vardhanaO you who increase
  8. bhrātariyour brother
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 10.49

    In this verse: “govern”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 10.49

    In this verse: “father”

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

Am I respecting another person’s rightful claim, even when I hold the authority?

Practice

Check one responsibility you manage and acknowledge any rightful role or claim another person has.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRecognize the Rights of OthersThis 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 10.49.17? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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