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

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Canto 11 · General History · 31 chapters

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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 11 · Chapter 1: The Curse upon the Yadu Dynasty
11.1.2311.2.1

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.1.24

Nirodha· Winding up
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 11.1.10inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

भगवाञ्ज्ञातसर्वार्थ ईश्वरोऽपि तदन्यथा ।

कर्तुं नैच्छद् विप्रशापं कालरूप्यन्वमोदत ॥ २४ ॥

bhagavān jñāta-sarvārtha

īśvaro ’pi tad-anyathā

kartuṁ naicchad vipra-śāpaṁ

kāla-rūpy anvamodata

Translation

Knowing fully the significance of all these events, the Supreme Lord, though capable of reversing the brāhmaṇas’ curse, did not wish to do so. Rather, in His form of time, He gladly sanctioned the events.

Read the purport on Vedabase.io

From Canto 10, chapter 14 onward, the translation and purports were completed by Śrīla Prabhupāda's disciples after his departure, and published by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Honor Devotees and Serve Kṛṣṇa

  1. 1

    Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, fully understood these events and could have reversed the brāhmaṇas’ curse. Instead, in His form of time, He gladly sanctioned it to protect the actual principles of religion.

  2. 2

    Religion is meant for pleasing the Supreme Lord by obeying His laws, not for serving our own sense gratification. Kṛṣṇa comes to revive devotional service, through which living entities regain their original position as His eternal servants.

  3. 3

    Even birth in the Lord’s own family does not permit anyone to violate the respect due to His pure devotees. Serving Kṛṣṇa’s pure devotees is essential for spiritual advancement, and His pastimes cannot be understood in an ordinary material way.

Key points from the purport
  • Such misfortunes also occurred after the disappearance of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, who is accepted by Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇavas as Kṛṣṇa Himself.
  • Thus He turned all of India toward the devotional service of Lord Kṛṣṇa, so that due to the extensive preaching of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu and His followers there remained no topic of discussion in the world other than devotional service to the Supreme Lord.
  • The devotees of Lord Gaurasundara, Caitanya Mahāprabhu, can discern the mysteries of His pastimes that manifest in the pastimes of Lord Kṛṣṇa.

The purport'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

Foreboding → Devotional urgency. Uddhava realizes that Kṛṣṇa's visible association is nearing an end.

Chapters 1–6 of Canto 11: The Yadu curse, the nine Yogendras and farewell signs. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 1: The Curse upon the Yadu Dynasty

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Although the Supersoul, Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, understood what was happening, He did not wish to do anything to counteract it. Rather, in the form of time He sanctioned these events.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.1
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. bhagavānthe Supreme Lord
  2. jñātaknowing
  3. sarva-arthaḥthe meaning of everything
  4. īśvaraḥquite capable
  5. apialthough
  6. tat-anyathāotherwise
  7. kartumto make
  8. na aicchatHe did not desire
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Nirodha · Returning home, back to Godhead

    What happens when everything here comes to an end? · Subject 8 of 10

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 11.1

    In this verse: “devotional service”, “devotees”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 11.1

    In this verse: “sense gratification”, “material”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 11.1

    In this verse: “religion”, “principles”

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 approaching spiritual life to please Kṛṣṇa, or to make it serve my own desires?

Practice

Offer one small act of service to a devotee today, with respect and the intention of pleasing Kṛṣṇa.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHonor Devotees and Serve KṛṣṇaThis 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 11.1.24? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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