1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

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

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 1 · Creation · 19 chapters

12345678910111213141516171819

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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 9: The Passing Away of Bhīṣmadeva in the Presence of Lord Kṛṣṇa
1.9.101.9.12

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.9.11

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Sūta Gosvāmīsince 1.9.1inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

पाण्डुपुत्रानुपासीनान् प्रश्रयप्रेमसङ्गतान् ।

अभ्याचष्टानुरागाश्रैरन्धीभूतेन चक्षुषा ॥ ११ ॥

pāṇḍu-putrān upāsīnān

praśraya-prema-saṅgatān

abhyācaṣṭānurāgāśrair

andhībhūtena cakṣuṣā

Translation

The sons of Mahārāja Pāṇḍu were sitting silently nearby, overtaken with affection for their dying grandfather. Seeing this, Bhīṣmadeva congratulated them with feeling. There were tears of ecstasy in his eyes, for he was overwhelmed by love and affection.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Loving Affection Flows Through Tears

  1. 1

    After Mahārāja Pāṇḍu’s death, his young sons grew up under the affection of their elders, especially Bhīṣmadeva.

  2. 2

    Bhīṣmadeva knew that the Pāṇḍavas were innocent and had been unnecessarily troubled. Yet political reasons had prevented him from taking their side.

  3. 3

    Seeing his grandsons sitting gently beside him, Bhīṣmadeva remembered their sufferings and could not restrain his loving tears. Satisfied that Yudhiṣṭhira had become king instead of Duryodhana, he congratulated them.

Key points from the purport
  • When Mahārāja Pāṇḍu died, his sons were all small children, and naturally they were brought up under the affection of elderly members of the royal family, specifically by Bhīṣmadeva.
  • At the last stage of his life, when Bhīṣmadeva saw his most exalted grandsons, headed by Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira, sitting very gently at his side, the great warrior-grandfather could not check his loving tears, which were automatically flowing from his eyes.
  • Certainly he was the most satisfied man because of Yudhiṣṭhira’s being enthroned in place of Duryodhana, and thus he began to congratulate them.

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

Grief → Trust. Violence and bereavement make Kṛṣṇa's protective presence precious.

Chapters 7–9 of Canto 1: Postwar anguish, Kuntī and Bhīṣma. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 9: The Passing Away of Bhīṣmadeva in the Presence of Lord Kṛṣṇa

Bhīṣmadeva instructs Yudhiṣṭhira and fixes his attention on Kṛṣṇa as he prepares to pass away.

Back to this verse in chapter 1.9
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. pāṇḍuthe late father of Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira and his brothers
  2. putrānthe sons of
  3. upāsīnānsitting silently nearby
  4. praśrayabeing overtaken
  5. premain feelings of love
  6. saṅgatānhaving gathered
  7. abhyācaṣṭacongratulated
  8. anurāgafeelingly
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

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 1.9

    In this verse: “love”, “ecstasy”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 1.9

    In this verse: “dying”, “death”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 1.9

    In this verse: “sufferings”

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 acknowledge both the hardships and the happiness of someone I love?

Practice

Tell a loved one that you recognize a difficulty they have faced and sincerely appreciate their present well-being.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayLoving Affection Flows Through TearsThis 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 1.9.11? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories