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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
1.11.351.11.37

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.11.36

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

उद्दामभावपिशुनामलवल्गुहास-

व्रीडावलोकनिहतो मदनोऽपि यासाम् ।

सम्मुह्य चापमजहात्प्रमदोत्तमास्ता

यस्येन्द्रियं विमथितुं कुहकैर्न शेकु: ॥ ३६ ॥

uddāma-bhāva-piśunāmala-valgu-hāsa-

vrīḍāvaloka-nihato madano ’pi yāsām

sammuhya cāpam ajahāt pramadottamās tā

yasyendriyaṁ vimathituṁ kuhakair na śekuḥ

Translation

Although the queens’ beautiful smiles and furtive glances were all spotless and exciting, and although they could conquer Cupid himself by making him give up his bow in frustration, and although even the tolerant Śiva could fall victim to them, still, despite all their magical feats and attractions, they could not agitate the senses of the Lord.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Pure Loving Service Satisfies the Self-Sufficient Lord

  1. 1

    The queens’ beauty could conquer Cupid, but it could not disturb Kṛṣṇa’s transcendental senses. The Supreme Personality of Godhead is ātmārāma, fully self-sufficient.

  2. 2

    Material attraction binds living beings to temporary existence. Association with the Lord’s devotees, called mahātmās, helps one become free from such attraction.

  3. 3

    The queens satisfied the Lord by sincere affection and service, not by their beauty. His loving reciprocation with them was transcendental, pure and unconditioned by material nature.

Key points from the purport
  • It is clear herein that the feminine attractive features which can conquer Cupid or even the supermost tolerant Lord Śiva could not conquer the senses of the Lord.
  • Yet they could not disturb the transcendental senses of the Lord.
  • Therefore, the queens could not satisfy the Lord by their feminine attractiveness, but they satisfied Him by their sincere affection and service.

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. uddāmavery grave
  2. bhāvaexpression
  3. piśunaexciting
  4. amalaspotless
  5. valgu-hāsabeautiful smiling
  6. vrīḍacorner of the eye
  7. avalokalooking
  8. nihataḥconquered
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

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 1.11

    In this verse: “give up”, “free from”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

  • 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 give more attention to sincere service than to outward attractiveness?

Practice

Do one small act of devotional service today with the intention of pleasing Kṛṣṇa rather than gaining appreciation.

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 todayPure Loving Service Satisfies the Self-Sufficient LordThis 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 1.11.36? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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