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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 2: Mahārāja Nimi Meets the Nine Yogendras
11.2.1311.2.15

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.2.14

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Nārada Munisince 11.2.11inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitNārada Muni → Vasudeva

अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम् ।

आर्षभाणां च संवादं विदेहस्य महात्मन: ॥ १४ ॥

atrāpy udāharantīmam

itihāsaṁ purātanam

ārṣabhāṇāṁ ca saṁvādaṁ

videhasya mahātmanaḥ

Translation

To explain the devotional service of the Lord, sages have related the ancient history of the conversation between the great soul King Videha and the sons of Ṛṣabha.

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.

Hear Sacred History With Faith

  1. 1

    Sages explain devotional service through the ancient conversation between King Videha and the sons of Ṛṣabha.

  2. 2

    The purport presents Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam as true historical narration, not fiction or mythology. It describes the Supreme Personality of Godhead, His devotees, and the liberation of conditioned souls.

  3. 3

    These accounts should be heard with complete faith and submission. Serious hearing enriches spiritual understanding and enables one to share the Lord’s glories.

Key points from the purport
  • It is essential that we hear these historical narrations, such as the conversation between the nava-yogendras and King Videha, with complete faith and submission.
  • Then, as stated in verse 12 of this chapter, even if our former life is filled with abominable activities, simply by hearing Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam we shall be promoted to the same transcendental status as the Lord and His pure devotees.
  • Therefore those who are inclined to enrich their intellectual life through the study of history should educate themselves in the historical narrations of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.

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 2: Mahārāja Nimi Meets the Nine Yogendras

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Nārada praised Vasudeva’s fixed intelligence and then related the ancient history of the conversation between the nine Yogendras, who were sons of Lord Ṛṣabhadeva, and Nimi, the King of Videha. Svāyambhuva Manu’s son was Priyavrata.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.2
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. atra apiin this very matter (of describing bhāgavata-dharma)
  2. udāharantiis given as an example
  3. imamthis
  4. itihāsamhistorical account
  5. purātanamancient
  6. ārṣabhāṇāmof the sons of Ṛṣabha
  7. caand
  8. saṁvādamthe conversation
  9. videhasyawith Janaka, King of Videha
  10. mahā-ātmanaḥwho was a great broad-minded soul
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 11.2

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

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 11.2

    In this verse: “hearing”, “heard”, “narration”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 11.2

    In this verse: “king”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Am I hearing Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with faith and a willingness to learn?

Practice

Set aside five uninterrupted minutes to read this sacred account with attention and respect.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHear Sacred History With FaithThis 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.

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