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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 15: Lord Kṛṣṇa’s Description of Mystic Yoga Perfections
11.15.2911.15.31

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.15.30

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Supreme Personality of Godheadsince 11.15.3inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Kṛṣṇa → Uddhava

मद्विभूतीरभिध्यायन् श्रीवत्सास्‍त्रविभूषिता: ।

ध्वजातपत्रव्यजनै: स भवेदपराजित: ॥ ३० ॥

mad-vibhūtīr abhidhyāyan

śrīvatsāstra-vibhūṣitāḥ

dhvajātapatra-vyajanaiḥ

sa bhaved aparājitaḥ

Translation

My devotee becomes unconquerable by meditating on My opulent incarnations, which are decorated with Śrīvatsa and various weapons and are endowed with imperial paraphernalia such as flags, ornamental umbrellas and fans.

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.

Steady Devotion Brings the Lord’s Gifts

  1. 1

    The Lord’s opulent incarnations bear Śrīvatsa, weapons and royal paraphernalia such as flags, umbrellas and fans. These indicate His unlimited power.

  2. 2

    Devotees become unconquerable by meditating on these powerful, royally equipped incarnations.

  3. 3

    With unflinching devotional service, the Lord’s transcendental youthful form is automatically revealed. Liberation and the goals of religiosity, economic development and sense gratification then wait to serve the devotee.

Key points from the purport
  • The imperial paraphernalia of the Lord’s opulent incarnations indicates His omnipotency, and the devotees become unconquerable by meditating on the Lord’s powerful, royally equipped incarnations.
  • As stated by Bilvamaṅgala Ṭhākura in Kṛṣṇa-karṇāmṛta, verse 107:
  • Thus liberation herself waits with folded hands to serve us, and the ultimate goals of religiosity, economic development and sense gratification patiently wait to render service to us.”

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

Uncertainty → Clarity. The coming separation makes the instruction personally urgent.

Chapters 10–20 of Canto 11: Kṛṣṇa's teachings on self, yoga and wisdom. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 15: Lord Kṛṣṇa’s Description of Mystic Yoga Perfections

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

All these perfections are automatically offered to a pure devotee, but he does not accept them. Unless used in the yoga of devotional service, these perfections are valueless.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.15
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. matMy
  2. vibhūtīḥopulent incarnations
  3. abhidhyāyanmeditating upon
  4. śrīvatsawith the Lord’s Śrīvatsa opulence
  5. astraand weapons
  6. vibhūṣitāḥdecorated
  7. dhvajawith flags
  8. ātapatrawith ceremonial umbrellas
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 11.15

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

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 11.15

    In this verse: “sense gratification”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 11.15

    In this verse: “religiosity”

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 steady devotional service or the benefits that follow it?

Practice

Spend one quiet minute remembering the Lord’s form as described here, with a desire for steady devotional service.

Live this todaySteady Devotion Brings the Lord’s GiftsThis 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 11.15.30? Get an answer from the verses themselves.