Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.57.38-39
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
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durdharaḥ
—
impossible to hold on to
Compound: dur- (hard) + dhara (holding). A gem that destroys ordinary holders — Prasena, Satrājit, Śatadhanvā all lost it. Kṛṣṇa concedes Akrūra is uniquely capable of holding it. Gauḍīyas: bhaktas hold what worldly men cannot.
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suvrate
—
O trustworthy keeper of vows
Vocative of suvrata — 'good in vows.' Kṛṣṇa addresses Akrūra by his bhakta-virtue even at the moment of asking him to show the proof of concealment. Gauḍīyas: Bhagavān names the better self of a devotee while gently correcting the lesser.
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na pratyeti
—
does not (fully) believe
Negation + present of prati-√i (to come back / accept). Kṛṣṇa attributes the demand for proof to Balarāma's incomplete belief — a tactical move that lets Akrūra save face. Bhāgavata pedagogy: blame an internal kin-relation, not the offender, to extract the right action.
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mahā - bhāga
—
O most fortunate one
Vocative compound: mahā (great) + bhāga (share, fortune). The same epithet used of Akrūra in chapter 38. Gauḍīyas note: Kṛṣṇa restores the title even at the moment of the gentle exposure — the bhakta's standing is not erased by the slip.
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rukma - vedayaḥ
—
whose altars are of gold
Compound: rukma (gold) + vedi (sacrificial altar). The opulence of Akrūra's continual sacrifices is the indirect proof everyone has noticed. Bhāgavata closes the section with a wry observation: the gem's presence has been visible in the gold of the altars.
Although technically Satyabhāmā’s sons had a right to the jewel, Lord Kṛṣṇa decided to leave the jewel in the care of Akrūra, who was using the jewel’s wealth to continually perform religious sacrifices. Indeed, Akrūra’s ability to perform such rituals on altars of gold was an indication of the jewel’s potency.
All the people of Dvaraka know the jewel is with you. The evidence is your constant performance of sacrifices in Kasi.
You are worthy to keep the jewel because you are fixed in brahmacārya (suvrate). By keeping it, we will all derive the benefit of destruction of all calamities. Having announced the gem should be for everyone, Kṛṣṇa covered his desire to give it to Akrūra by his words, since Balarāma and others would wonder about that desire. Just show the jewel because Balarāma and others do not believe you have it. Suddenly Kṛṣṇa became insistent that he show the jewel. This was not Balarāma’s idea. In his mind Kṛṣṇa thought as follows. “Balarāma already said that Śatadhanvā must have left the jewel with someone else. He was hinting that it was Akrūra but did not say his name directly. It is known Śatadhanvā killed Satrājit but Akrūra was the one who gave bad advice to Śatadhanvā by saying that Satrājit had promised to give his daughter to him. Balarāma had anger towards Akrūra and affectionate anger towards me for not giving up favoritism to Akrūra. Because of this, he will not believe me at all if I say the jewel is not with me. Though we can infer from your charity and sacrifices that you have the jewel, Balarāma even doubts me, since he watched at a distance as I searched Śatadhanvā after killing him. Knowing my desires, he thinks that you gave me the jewel and then fled.” This is how Kṛṣṇa thought. In order to indicate that he was not terribly wicked since the jewel would be for others’ benefit, according to the first phrase used to describe Akrūra (suvrate), Kṛṣṇa says “O Akrūra, fortunate with devotion to me (mahābhāga), or having a portion of devotion to me!” You are not interested in the jewel. Showing the gem will completely pacify Balarāma and others, resolving the dissension arising from the jewel. Balarāma had been brought from Mithilā at this time. Hari-vaṁśa says: prasādya tu tato rāmo vṛṣṇy-andhaka-mahā-rathaiḥ / ānīto dvārakām eva kṛṣṇena ca mahātmanā // Satisfying Balarāma Kṛṣṇa had him brought to Dvārakā by great warriors of the Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas.
You are worthy to keep the jewel because you are fixed in brahmacārya (suvrate) or because you are fixed in keeping your vow. The Lord had the desire from previously that Akrūra keep the jewel for the benefit of the people. Show it to Balarāma so he will believe that it is not with me. He thinks it is with me though by its function it is with you, my devotee. Though Balarāma did not think like this, Kṛṣṇa makes this statement so that Akrūra would give the jewel. It is understood that Balarāma had by that time returned from Mithilā. prasādya tu tato rāmo vṛṣṇy-andhaka-mahā-rathaiḥ / ānīto dvārakām eva kṛṣṇena ca mahātmanā // Satisfying Balarāma, Kṛṣṇa had him brought to Dvārakā by great warriors of the Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas. O Akrūra, fortunate with devotion to me (mahābhāga), or having a portion of devotion to me!” You are not interested in the jewel. Thus, just show the jewel but do not give it since it will remain with you only. Why? Showing the gem will completely pacify Balarāma and others, resolving the dissension arising from the jewel.
- Where could you let someone keep something while still asking to see it?
- How do you balance trust and transparency in entrusted assets?
Kṛṣṇa lets Akrūra keep the jewel — only asks him to show it once, to settle Balarāma and the relatives. Bhagavān's mercy here is precisely-calibrated: He exposes the concealment but does not strip the concealer. Gauḍīyas read this as the doctrinal pattern of vaiṣṇava-aparādha-correction: name it, surface it, restore the devotee without stripping him.
My note
Source: vedabase.io