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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.
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Canto 1 · Chapter 11: Lord Kṛṣṇa’s Entrance into Dvārakā
1.11.201.11.22

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.11.21

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

भगवांस्तत्र बन्धूनां पौराणामनुवर्तिनाम् ।

यथाविध्युपसङ्गम्य सर्वेषां मानमादधे ॥ २१ ॥

bhagavāṁs tatra bandhūnāṁ

paurāṇām anuvartinām

yathā-vidhy upasaṅgamya

sarveṣāṁ mānam ādadhe

Translation

Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Personality of Godhead, approached them and offered due honor and respect to each and every one of the friends, relatives, citizens and all others who came to receive and welcome Him.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Lord Personally Reciprocates with Devotees

  1. 1

    Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, offered due honor to everyone who came to welcome Him. He is neither impersonal nor unable to reciprocate His devotees’ feelings.

  2. 2

    Pure devotees have no object of service other than the Lord. He is always attentive to all their matters.

  3. 3

    The Lord satisfies everyone according to their development of spiritual consciousness. With those who regard Him as impersonal, He does not take personal interest.

Key points from the purport
  • The Supreme Lord Personality of Godhead is neither impersonal nor an inert object unable to reciprocate the feelings of His devotees.
  • He reciprocates “just as it behooves” with His different types of admirers and devotees.
  • Of course, the pure devotees are of one type only because they have no other object for service but the Lord, and therefore the Lord also reciprocates with such pure devotees just as it behooves — namely, He is always attentive to all the matters of His pure devotees.

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. bhagavānŚrī Kṛṣṇa, the Personality of Godhead
  2. tatrain that place
  3. bandhūnāmof the friends
  4. paurāṇāmof the citizens
  5. anuvartināmthose who approached Him to receive and welcome
  6. yathā-vidhias it behooves
  7. upasaṅgamyagoing nearer
  8. sarveṣāmfor each and every one
  9. mānamhonor and respects
  10. ādadheoffered
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

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 1.11

    In this verse: “friends”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 1.11

    In this verse: “citizens”

  • 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 I make my service to Kṛṣṇa more wholehearted?

Practice

Take one quiet minute to offer Kṛṣṇa a sincere prayer expressing your desire to serve Him.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord Personally Reciprocates with DevoteesThis 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 1.11.21? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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