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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
11.2.2911.2.31

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.2.30

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:King Nimisince 11.2.28inside 4 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitNārada Muni → VasudevaThe nine Yogendras → King Nimi

अत आत्यन्तिकं क्षेमं पृच्छामो भवतोऽनघा: ।

संसारेऽस्मिन् क्षणार्धोऽपि सत्सङ्ग: शेवधिर्नृणाम् ॥ ३० ॥

ata ātyantikaṁ kṣemaṁ

pṛcchāmo bhavato ’naghāḥ

saṁsāre ’smin kṣaṇārdho ’pi

sat-saṅgaḥ śevadhir nṛṇām

Translation

Therefore, O completely sinless ones, I ask you to kindly tell me what the supreme good is. After all, even half a moment’s association with pure devotees within this world of birth and death is a priceless treasure for any man.

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.

Devotee Association Is a Priceless Treasure

  1. 1

    Even half a moment's association with a pure devotee is a great treasure. An intelligent person welcomes this opportunity without delay.

  2. 2

    The supreme good is a condition untouched by even the slightest fear. Pure devotees teach the practical way to leave the cycle of birth and death and become established as eternal servants of God.

  3. 3

    Hearing topics of Kṛṣṇa from pure devotees diminishes our tendency to become bound by sense gratification. It awakens eagerness to serve the Supreme Lord.

Key points from the purport
  • Just as an ordinary man is overjoyed to discover an unexpected treasure, one who is actually intelligent is overjoyed to gain the association of a pure devotee of the Lord, by which one’s life can easily be perfected.
  • According to Śrīla Viśvanātha, the King knew that it would be useless to ask the sages about their business affairs, since the only business of the pure devotees of the Lord is the achievement of the supreme goal of life.
  • Pure devotees of the Lord do not waste their time with ordinary mundane affairs.

The purport's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 1

Quoted in the purport ofCC Madhya 22.85

This is a quotation from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (11.2.30).

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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:

Bhāgavata-dharma, or pure devotional service to the Lord, is the only means of ultimate good fortune for the soul. The Supreme Lord, being pleased by such service, offers His own self to the devotee.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.2
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. ataḥtherefore
  2. ātyantikamsupreme
  3. kṣemamgood
  4. pṛcchāmaḥI am asking
  5. bhavataḥfrom you
  6. anaghāḥO sinless ones
  7. saṁsārein the cycle of birth and death
  8. asminthis
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotees”, “devotee”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 11.2

    In this verse: “death”, “fear”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 11.2

    In this verse: “kindly”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

When I have an opportunity to hear from devotees, do I seek guidance about life's highest goal?

Practice

Write one sincere question about becoming an eternal servant of the Lord, and ask a devotee when you have the opportunity.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDevotee Association Is a Priceless TreasureThis 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 11.2.30? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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