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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
1.11.251.11.27

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.11.26

Āśraya· The supreme shelter
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The citizenssince 1.11.6inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

श्रियो निवासो यस्योर: पानपात्रं मुखं द‍ृशाम् ।

बाहवो लोकपालानां सारङ्गाणां पदाम्बुजम् ॥ २६ ॥

śriyo nivāso yasyoraḥ

pāna-pātraṁ mukhaṁ dṛśām

bāhavo loka-pālānāṁ

sāraṅgāṇāṁ padāmbujam

Translation

The Lord’s chest is the abode of the goddess of fortune. His moonlike face is the drinking vessel for eyes which hanker after all that is beautiful. His arms are the resting places for the administrative demigods. And His lotus feet are the refuge of pure devotees who never talk or sing of any subject except His Lordship.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Pure Devotees Seek the Lord’s Lotus Feet

  1. 1

    The Lord’s chest is the abode of the goddess of fortune, and His face is the embodiment of beauty. Those attracted to beauty can find complete satisfaction in Him.

  2. 2

    Administrators can find protection under the Lord’s arms. A faithful servant of the Lord engaged in administration can properly protect the people’s interests.

  3. 3

    Pure devotees seek shelter at the Lord’s lotus feet and delight in speaking and singing about Him. Humble by nature, they desire the taste of His transcendental service.

Key points from the purport
  • The pure devotees are always hankering after the lotus feet of the Lord.
  • Kindly, therefore, give my bee-mind a place at Your lotus feet, which are the resources for all transcendental honey.
  • The devotees are satisfied with being placed at the lotus feet of the Lord and have no ambition to see His all-beautiful face or aspire for the protection of the strong arms 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
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śriyaḥof the goddess of fortune
  2. nivāsaḥresidential place
  3. yasyaone whose
  4. uraḥchest
  5. pāna-pātramthe drinking pot
  6. mukhamface
  7. dṛśāmof eyes
  8. bāhavaḥthe arms
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Āśraya · The summum bonum

    Who is the shelter of everything? · Subject 10 of 10

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 1.11

    In this verse: “administrative”, “administrators”

  • Śaraṇāgati · Wholehearted surrender

    Relinquishing ownership while entrusting oneself to the Lord. · Theme in SB 1.11

    In this verse: “refuge”, “shelter”

  • 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

Am I seeking the Lord mainly for benefits, or for the opportunity to serve Him?

Practice

Offer a short prayer asking Kṛṣṇa to fix your mind at His lotus feet in service.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayPure Devotees Seek the Lord’s Lotus FeetThis 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 1.11.26? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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