Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 21
Akrūra’s Journey to Vraja and His Devotional Vision of Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma
लब्ध्वाङ्गसङ्गं प्रणतं कृताञ्जलिं मां वक्ष्यतेऽक्रूर ततेत्युरुश्रवा: । तदा वयं जन्मभृतो महीयसा नैवादृतो यो धिगमुष्य जन्म तत् ॥ २१ ॥
labdhvāṅga-saṅgam praṇatam kṛtāñjaliṁ māṁ vakṣyate ’krūra tatety uruśravāḥ tadā vayaṁ janma-bhṛto mahīyasā naivādṛto yo dhig amuṣya janma tat
Having been embraced by the all-famous Lord Kṛṣṇa, I will humbly stand before Him with bowed head and joined palms, and He will address me, “My dear Akrūra.” At that very moment my life’s purpose will be fulfilled. Indeed, the life of anyone whom the Supreme Personality fails to recognize is simply pitiable.
FAQs
This verse teaches that meeting and honoring a great devotee like Akrūra makes one’s life successful, and that failing to respect such a mahātmā makes one’s birth shameful.
Akrūra is portrayed as a great devotee coming to Vṛndāvana; Kṛṣṇa emphasizes the spiritual value of a devotee’s association and the duty to receive him with honor.
Seek saintly association, receive sincere devotees with respect, and cultivate humility—treating devotion and devotees as sacred rather than ordinary social contacts.