Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 4

Akrūra’s Journey to Vraja and His Devotional Vision of Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma

Devanagari script

ममैतद् दुर्लभं मन्य उत्तम:श्लोकदर्शनम् । विषयात्मनो यथा ब्रह्मकीर्तनं शूद्रजन्मन: ॥ ४ ॥

Transliteration

mamaitad durlabhaṁ manya uttamaḥ-śloka-darśanam viṣayātmano yathā brahma- kīrtanaṁ śūdra-janmanaḥ

Translation

Since I am a materialistic person absorbed simply in sense gratification, I think it is as difficult for me to have gotten this opportunity to see Lord Uttamaḥśloka as it would be for one born a śūdra to be allowed to recite the Vedic mantras.

Synonyms

• मम: of me / my
• मम: सम्बन्ध (षष्ठी/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन (Singular); सर्वनाम (pronoun)

• एतत्: this
• एतत्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन (Singular); सर्वनाम

• दुर्लभम्: hard to obtain
• दुर्लभम्: विशेषण (Qualifier of एतत्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दुर्लभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (adjective)

• मन्ये: I think / consider
• मन्ये: क्रिया (Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: मन् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), उत्तमपुरुष (1st person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• उत्तमश्लोकदर्शनम्: the sight of the Lord of excellent fame
• उत्तमश्लोकदर्शनम्: कर्म (Karma/Object of मन्ये)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उत्तम-श्लोक + दर्शन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (uttamaślokasya darśanam)

• विषयात्मनः: of one whose mind is on sense-objects
• विषयात्मनः: सम्बन्ध (Genitive relation; of one absorbed in sense-objects)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विषय + आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), षष्ठी (Genitive), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (viṣayātmanaḥ = whose self is sense-objects)

• यथा: just as
• यथा: सम्बन्ध (Comparison marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय)
• Form: उपमान/तुलना-अव्यय (comparative indeclinable)

• ब्रह्मकीर्तनम्: chanting of Brahman (Veda/holy name)
• ब्रह्मकीर्तनम्: उपमान (Upamāna/standard of comparison)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मन् + कीर्तन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (brahmaṇaḥ kīrtanam)

• शूद्रजन्मनः: of one of śūdra birth
• शूद्रजन्मनः: सम्बन्ध (Genitive relation; of one of śūdra birth)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शूद्र + जन्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), षष्ठी (Genitive), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (śūdrasya janmanaḥ)

Characters & Entities

• Akrūra
• Śrī Kṛṣṇa

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about how rare Krishna darshan is?

This verse shows that seeing Śrī Kṛṣṇa (Uttamaḥ-śloka) is extremely rare for one absorbed in sense enjoyment; it is attained by devotion rather than worldly absorption.

Why did Akrura say this before meeting Krishna?

As Akrūra approached Vṛndāvana, he reflected on his own unworthiness and the extraordinary mercy required to see Kṛṣṇa, expressing deep humility and reverence.

Practical application of this teaching in modern life?

Reduce sense-centered living and increase sincere hearing, chanting, and remembrance of God; humility and devotion make spiritual realization accessible.