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Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

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How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
  2. 2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
  3. 3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
  4. 4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
  5. 5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
  6. 6Write down what touched you. Note the main points in your own notebook.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›
Canto 1 · Chapter 11: Lord Kṛṣṇa’s Entrance into Dvārakā
1.11.121.11.14

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.11.13

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The citizenssince 1.11.6inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

गोपुरद्वारमार्गेषु कृतकौतुकतोरणाम् ।

चित्रध्वजपताकाग्रैरन्त: प्रतिहतातपाम् ॥ १३ ॥

gopura-dvāra-mārgeṣu

kṛta-kautuka-toraṇām

citra-dhvaja-patākāgrair

antaḥ pratihatātapām

Translation

The city gateway, the household doors and festooned arches along the roads were all nicely decorated with festive signs like plantain trees and mango leaves, all to welcome the Lord. Flags, garlands and painted signs and slogans all combined to shade the sunshine.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Honor the Lord and His Servants

  1. 1

    The city gates, household doors and roadside arches were decorated to welcome the Lord. Plantain trees, mango leaves, flags and garlands made the welcome festive.

  2. 2

    The decorations were gathered from nature's gifts. Mango trees, coconut palms and plantain trees are accepted as auspicious signs.

  3. 3

    The flags bore pictures of Garuḍa or Hanumān, two great servitors of the Lord. Devotees give special respect to the Lord's servants for His satisfaction.

Key points from the purport
  • Signs of decoration in special festivals were also collected from the gifts of nature, such as the plantain trees, the mango trees, fruits and flowers.
  • Mango trees, coconut palms and plantain trees are still accepted as auspicious signs.
  • The flags mentioned above were all painted with the picture of either Garuḍa or Hanumān, the two great servitors of the Lord.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

How it feels

Longing → Joy and continuity. Departure and welcome coexist; Parīkṣit embodies continuity of grace.

Chapters 10–12 of Canto 1: Kṛṣṇa returns to Dvārakā; Parīkṣit is born. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 11: Lord Kṛṣṇa’s Entrance into Dvārakā

Dvārakā’s citizens and Kṛṣṇa’s family joyfully welcome Him home.

Back to this verse in chapter 1.11
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. gopurathe gateway of the city
  2. dvāradoor
  3. mārgeṣuon different roads
  4. kṛtaundertaken
  5. kautukabecause of the festival
  6. toraṇāmdecorated arch
  7. citrapainted
  8. dhvajaflags
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Īśānukathā · The science of God

    Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 1.11

    In this verse: “household”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 1.11

    In this verse: “devotees”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can honoring the Lord's servants become part of my welcome to Him?

Practice

Offer one sincere expression of respect to a devotee today, with the desire to satisfy the Lord.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 1.11's connections

Live this todayHonor the Lord and His ServantsThis verse's lesson: one practice and one question for today

Study points are short summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport on Vedabase.

Ask the BhāgavatamHave a question about SB 1.11.13? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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