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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.
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Canto 10 · Chapter 49: Akrūra’s Mission in Hastināpura
10.49.310.49.5-6

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.49.4

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.49.1-2inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

उवास कतिचिन्मासान् राज्ञो वृत्तविवित्सया ।

दुष्प्रजस्याल्पसारस्य खलच्छन्दानुवर्तिन: ॥ ४ ॥

uvāsa katicin māsān

rājño vṛtta-vivitsayā

duṣprajasyālpa-sārasya

khala-cchandānuvartinaḥ

Translation

He remained in Hastināpura for several months to scrutinize the conduct of the weak-willed King, who had bad sons and who was inclined to give in to the whims of mischievous advisers.

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.

Observe Carefully and Recognize Harmful Influence

  1. 1

    Akrūra remained in Hastināpura for several months to scrutinize the King’s conduct.

  2. 2

    The King was weak-willed, and his sons were bad.

  3. 3

    He was inclined to give in to the whims of mischievous advisers. The verse draws attention to his weakness under harmful influence.

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:

This task would keep Akrūra in Hastināpura for several months. Vidura and Kuntīdevī described to Akrūra in detail how Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s sons, envious of the exalted qualities of the Pāṇḍavas, had tried to destroy them by various evil means and were contemplating further atrocities.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.49
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. uvāsaresided
  2. katicitsome
  3. māsānmonths
  4. rājñaḥof the King (Dhṛtarāṣṭra)
  5. vṛttathe activity
  6. vivitsayāwith the desire of finding out
  7. duṣprajasyawhose sons were wicked
  8. alpaweak
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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 10.49

    In this verse: “king”, “king’s”

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 giving in to advice that I recognize as harmful?

Practice

Pause before following one piece of advice today and consider whether it encourages harmful conduct.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayObserve Carefully and Recognize Harmful InfluenceThis 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 10.49.4? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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