Shloka 36

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

Devanagari script

भगवांस्तमभिप्रेत्य रथाङ्गाङ्कितपाणिना । परिरेभेऽभ्युपाकृष्य प्रीत: प्रणतवत्सल: ॥ ३६ ॥

Transliteration

bhagavāṁs tam abhipretya rathāṅgāṅkita-pāṇinā parirebhe ’bhyupākṛṣya prītaḥ praṇata-vatsalaḥ

Translation

ഭഗവാൻ ശ്രീകൃഷ്ണൻ അക്രൂരനെ തിരിച്ചറിഞ്ഞ്, ചക്രചിഹ്നമുള്ള തന്റെ കൈകൊണ്ട് അവനെ അടുത്തേക്ക് വലിച്ചുകൊണ്ട് സന്തോഷത്തോടെ ആലിംഗനം ചെയ്തു; കാരണം അവൻ ശരണാഗതഭക്തരോടു സദാ വാത്സല്യമുള്ളവൻ।

Synonyms

• bhagavān: the Blessed Lord
• bhagavān: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhagavat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• tam: him
• tam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/कर्म), एकवचन

• abhipretya: having approached
• abhipretya: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: abhi√i (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (Gerund/Absolutive), पूर्वक्रिया; ‘approaching/going up to’

• rathāṅga-aṅkita-pāṇinā: with (his) hand marked by the discus
• rathāṅga-aṅkita-pāṇinā: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rathāṅga (प्रातिपदिक) + aṅkita (कृदन्त; √aṅk/अङ्क्) + pāṇi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/करण), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (रथाङ्गेन अङ्कितः पाणिः यस्य—by the hand marked with the discus)

• parirebhe: embraced
• parirebhe: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pari√rabh (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

• abhyupākṛṣya: having drawn (him) close
• abhyupākṛṣya: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: abhi-upa-ā√kṛṣ (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (Gerund/Absolutive), पूर्वक्रिया; ‘drawing near/pulling close’

• prītaḥ: pleased
• prītaḥ: Karta-anvayi Visheshana (कर्तृ-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: prīta (कृदन्त; √prī)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• praṇata-vatsalaḥ: affectionate to those who bow
• praṇata-vatsalaḥ: Karta-anvayi Visheshana (कर्तृ-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: praṇata (कृदन्त; √nam) + vatsala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (प्रणतेषु वत्सलः—affectionate to the bowed/devotees)

Purport

According to the ācāryas, by extending His hand marked with the chariot wheel, or cakra, Lord Kṛṣṇa indicated His ability to kill Kaṁsa.

Characters & Entities

• Śrī Kṛṣṇa
• Akrūra

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Krishna being affectionate to surrendered devotees (praṇata-vatsala)?

This verse shows Kṛṣṇa joyfully drawing Akrūra close and embracing him, illustrating that the Lord is especially tender toward those who approach Him with humility and surrender.

Why did Krishna embrace Akrura in Canto 10 Chapter 38?

Kṛṣṇa understood Akrūra’s inner devotion and intention; pleased by his reverence, He welcomed him intimately with an embrace, honoring his surrendered mood.

How can the teaching of this shloka be applied in modern life?

Approach God and devotees with genuine humility and sincerity; the verse emphasizes that heartfelt surrender and respect invite divine grace and inner reassurance.