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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 17: Lord Kṛṣṇa’s Description of the Varṇāśrama System
11.17.4511.17.47

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.17.46

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Supreme Personality of Godheadsince 11.17.9inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Kṛṣṇa → Uddhava

एवंविधो नरपतिर्विमानेनार्कवर्चसा ।

विधूयेहाशुभं कृत्‍स्‍नमिन्द्रेण सह मोदते ॥ ४६ ॥

evaṁ-vidho nara-patir

vimānenārka-varcasā

vidhūyehāśubhaṁ kṛtsnam

indreṇa saha modate

Translation

An earthly king who protects himself and all citizens by removing all sins from his kingdom will certainly enjoy with Lord Indra in airplanes as brilliant as the sun.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

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.

Righteous Protection Brings Heavenly Reward

  1. 1

    A king should protect both himself and all the citizens.

  2. 2

    This protection includes removing all sins from the kingdom.

  3. 3

    Such a king will enjoy with Lord Indra in airplanes as brilliant as the sun.

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 17: Lord Kṛṣṇa’s Description of the Varṇāśrama System

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

If a brāhmaṇa considers that his consciousness is contaminated by engaging in these occupations, he may sustain his existence by collecting grains from the fields. If he is disturbed by poverty, the brāhmaṇa may out of necessity accept the business of a kṣatriya or vaiśya, but he should never take the occupation of a śūdra.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.17
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. evam-vidhaḥthus (protecting himself and the citizens)
  2. nara-patiḥthe king
  3. vimānenawith an airplane
  4. arka-varcasāas brilliant as the sun
  5. vidhūyaremoving
  6. ihaon the earth
  7. aśubhamsins
  8. kṛtsnamall
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 11.17

    In this verse: “king”, “citizens”, “kingdom”

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 11.17

    In this verse: “protects”, “protect”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 11.17

    In this verse: “sins”

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 does this verse broaden my understanding of a ruler’s responsibility?

Practice

Write one sentence explaining why removing sin is part of the protection described here.

Live this todayRighteous Protection Brings Heavenly RewardThis 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 11.17.46? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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