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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
11.2.211.2.4

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.2.3

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 11.2.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

तमेकदा तु देवर्षिं वसुदेवो गृहागतम् ।

अर्चितं सुखमासीनमभिवाद्येदमब्रवीत् ॥ ३ ॥

tam ekadā tu devarṣiṁ

vasudevo gṛhāgatam

arcitaṁ sukham āsīnam

abhivādyedam abravīt

Translation

One day the sage among the demigods, Nārada, came to the house of Vasudeva. After worshiping Nārada with suitable paraphernalia, seating him comfortably and respectfully bowing down to him, Vasudeva spoke as follows.

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.

Welcome a Sage With Respect

  1. 1

    Nārada, the sage among the demigods, came to Vasudeva’s house.

  2. 2

    Vasudeva worshiped Nārada with suitable paraphernalia and seated him comfortably.

  3. 3

    Before speaking, Vasudeva respectfully bowed down to Nārada. His welcome showed care and reverence.

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:

Once Nārada arrived at the home of Vasudeva, who worshiped him according to proper etiquette, greeted him respectfully and requested to hear about pure devotional service, which frees one from all kinds of fear. 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.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.2
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tamhim
  2. ekadāonce
  3. tuand
  4. deva-ṛṣimthe sage among the demigods, Nārada
  5. vasudevaḥVasudeva, the father of Lord Kṛṣṇa
  6. gṛha-āgatamwho had come to his house
  7. arcitamworshiped with paraphernalia
  8. sukham āsīnamcomfortably seated
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: “worshiping”, “worshiped”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can you show care and respect before beginning a conversation?

Practice

When welcoming someone today, offer a comfortable seat and a respectful greeting before speaking.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayWelcome a Sage With RespectThis 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 11.2.3? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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