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Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Canto 11 · 31 chapters · 1367 verses · 14 stories
General History
Canto 11 describes the withdrawal of the Yadu dynasty and Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s return to His own abode. Through the nine Yogendras’ teachings, instructive stories, and Kṛṣṇa’s extensive instructions to Uddhava, it explains detachment, spiritual knowledge, and devotional service. Its conclusion is to take shelter of Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and engage in His loving service.
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.
What this canto speaks about · the ten subjects
Mukti 559Ūti 207Īśānukathā 201Manvantara 120Āśraya 115Nirodha 75Sarga 40Poṣaṇa 39Visarga 9Sthāna 2
- 1Chapter 1The Curse upon the Yadu DynastyYoung Yadus mock the sages, whose curse produces an iron club destined to destroy the dynasty.Mostly Īśānukathā ·24 verses · The curse upon the Yadus
- 2Chapter 2Mahārāja Nimi Meets the Nine YogendrasNārada recounts King Nimi’s meeting with the nine Yogendras to teach Vasudeva about devotional service.Mostly Mukti ·55 verses · King Nimi hears the nine Yogendras
- 3Chapter 3Liberation from the Illusory EnergyThe Yogendras explain māyā, freedom from its grip, the Supreme Lord, and action leading beyond material bondage.Mostly Mukti ·55 verses · King Nimi hears the nine Yogendras
- 4Chapter 4Drumila Explains the Incarnations of Godhead to King NimiDrumila describes the Lord’s incarnations, including Nara-Nārāyaṇa’s response to Indra’s attempt to disturb His austerities.Mostly Īśānukathā ·23 verses · King Nimi hears the nine Yogendras · Nara-Nārāyaṇa welcomes Cupid
- 5Chapter 5Nārada Concludes His Teachings to VasudevaThe sages explain neglect of worship and worship in different ages; Nimi practices their teachings.Mostly Īśānukathā ·52 verses · King Nimi hears the nine Yogendras
- 6Chapter 6The Yadu Dynasty Retires to PrabhāsaThe demigods request Kṛṣṇa’s return to His abode, and distressed Uddhava asks to accompany Him.Mostly Īśānukathā ·50 verses · Uddhava asks to accompany Kṛṣṇa
- 7Chapter 7Lord Kṛṣṇa Instructs UddhavaKṛṣṇa instructs Uddhava in renunciation and begins the avadhūta’s account of his twenty-four spiritual masters.Mostly Mukti ·74 verses · Uddhava asks to accompany Kṛṣṇa · The avadhūta’s many teachers
- 8Chapter 8The Story of PiṅgalāThe avadhūta teaches detachment through natural examples and Piṅgalā’s happiness on giving up material hopes.Mostly Mukti ·44 verses · The avadhūta’s many teachers · Piṅgalā finds happiness in detachment
- 9Chapter 9Detachment from All that Is MaterialThe avadhūta describes his remaining teachers, showing how detachment and a steady mind support worship.Mostly Mukti ·33 verses · The avadhūta’s many teachers · The young girl’s bracelets
- 10Chapter 10The Nature of Fruitive ActivityKṛṣṇa explains the limitations of fruitive work and the importance of serving a bona fide spiritual master.Mostly Ūti ·37 verses
- 11Chapter 11The Symptoms of Conditioned and Liberated Living EntitiesKṛṣṇa distinguishes conditioned and liberated souls and describes saintly qualities and devotional practices.Mostly Mukti ·49 verses
- 12Chapter 12Beyond Renunciation and KnowledgeKṛṣṇa glorifies association with devotees and the unalloyed love of Vṛndāvana’s residents.Mostly Mukti ·24 verses
- 13Chapter 13The Haṁsa-avatāra Answers the Questions of the Sons of BrahmāKṛṣṇa explains overcoming nature’s modes and recalls His teachings as Haṁsa to Brahmā and the sages.Mostly Mukti ·42 verses · The Lord teaches as Haṁsa
- 14Chapter 14Lord Kṛṣṇa Explains the Yoga System to Śrī UddhavaKṛṣṇa establishes pure devotional service as supreme and explains meditation upon Him.Mostly Mukti ·46 verses
- 15Chapter 15Lord Kṛṣṇa’s Description of Mystic Yoga PerfectionsKṛṣṇa describes mystic perfections and explains how they can distract one from pure devotional service.Mostly Mukti ·36 verses
- 16Chapter 16The Lord’s OpulenceKṛṣṇa describes His opulences, showing that all power, beauty, wisdom, and excellence expand from Him.Mostly Āśraya ·44 verses
- 17Chapter 17Lord Kṛṣṇa’s Description of the Varṇāśrama SystemKṛṣṇa explains varṇāśrama, especially the duties of students and householders, in relation to loving service.Mostly Manvantara ·58 verses
- 18Chapter 18Description of Varṇāśrama-dharmaKṛṣṇa describes forest retirement and renunciation, emphasizing discipline, peacefulness, and awareness of the Lord within everyone.Mostly Manvantara ·48 verses
- 19Chapter 19The Perfection of Spiritual KnowledgeKṛṣṇa explains spiritual knowledge, devotional service, and the disciplines of yoga.Mostly Mukti ·45 verses
- 20Chapter 20Pure Devotional Service Surpasses Knowledge and DetachmentKṛṣṇa explains the paths of work, knowledge, and devotion according to different qualifications.Mostly Mukti ·37 verses
- 21Chapter 21Lord Kṛṣṇa’s Explanation of the Vedic PathKṛṣṇa explains how Vedic rules restrict material attachment and guide people toward spiritual advancement.Mostly Manvantara ·43 verses
- 22Chapter 22Enumeration of the Elements of Material CreationKṛṣṇa explains different counts of creation’s elements and distinguishes the soul from bodily birth and death.Mostly Sarga ·61 verses
- 23Chapter 23The Song of the Avantī BrāhmaṇaA miserly Avantī brāhmaṇa loses his wealth, becomes renounced, and tolerates abuse with spiritual understanding.Mostly Mukti ·61 verses · The Avantī brāhmaṇa’s tolerance
- 24Chapter 24The Philosophy of SāṅkhyaKṛṣṇa explains Sāṅkhya, tracing creation and dissolution to dispel confusion about material duality.Mostly Sarga ·29 verses
- 25Chapter 25The Three Modes of Nature and BeyondKṛṣṇa describes nature’s three modes and explains that taking shelter of Him carries one beyond them.Mostly Ūti ·36 verses
- 26Chapter 26The Aila-gītāPurūravā laments his attachment to Urvaśī; Kṛṣṇa teaches the value of saintly association.Mostly Mukti ·35 verses · Purūravā awakens from attachment
- 27Chapter 27Lord Kṛṣṇa’s Instructions on the Process of Deity WorshipKṛṣṇa explains the forms, qualifications, preparations, and procedures of Deity worship.Mostly Mukti ·55 verses
- 28Chapter 28Jñāna-yogaKṛṣṇa teaches discrimination between soul and matter, freedom from false identification, and life without attachment.Mostly Mukti ·44 verses
- 29Chapter 29Bhakti-yogaUddhava asks for an easier path, and Kṛṣṇa teaches devotion through all activities and seeing Him everywhere.Mostly Mukti ·49 verses · Uddhava receives the path of devotion
- 30Chapter 30The Disappearance of the Yadu DynastyThe Yadus destroy one another at Prabhāsa; Baladeva departs, and Jarā mistakenly pierces Kṛṣṇa’s foot.Mostly Nirodha ·50 verses · The Yadus withdraw at Prabhāsa · Kṛṣṇa forgives the hunter
- 31Chapter 31The Disappearance of Lord Śrī KṛṣṇaKṛṣṇa returns to His abode; Arjuna cares for the survivors as the ocean covers Dvārakā.Mostly Īśānukathā ·28 verses · Kṛṣṇa returns to His abode
Chapter lines and stories are short summaries drawn from the Bhāgavatam's own chapter summaries and translations. Read each chapter in full for the text itself.