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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
11.2.3111.2.33

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.2.32

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Nārada Munisince 11.2.32inside 4 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitNārada Muni → VasudevaThe nine Yogendras → King Nimi

श्रीनारद उवाच

एवं ते निमिना पृष्टा वसुदेव महत्तमा: ।

प्रतिपूज्याब्रुवन् प्रीत्या ससदस्यर्त्विजं नृपम् ॥ ३२ ॥

śrī-nārada uvāca

evaṁ te niminā pṛṣṭā

vasudeva mahattamāḥ

pratipūjyābruvan prītyā

sa-sadasyartvijaṁ nṛpam

Translation

Śrī Nārada said: O Vasudeva, when Mahārāja Nimi had thus inquired from the nine Yogendras about devotional service to the Lord, those best of saintly persons sincerely thanked the King for his questions and spoke to him with affection in the presence of the members of the sacrificial assembly and the brāhmaṇa priests.

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 and Speak About Devotional Service

  1. 1

    Mahārāja Nimi asked the nine Yogendras about devotional service to the Lord. The sages sincerely thanked him for his questions and answered with affection.

  2. 2

    The King, the members of the assembly and the priests were all devoted to hearing and chanting the glories of devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

  3. 3

    Beginning with Kavi, the sages would each speak in turn to answer the King's questions. Their discussion centered on devotional service to the Lord.

Key points from the purport
  • According to Śrīdhara Svāmī, not only the King but also the members of the assembly and the priests conducting the sacrifice were all devoted to hearing and chanting the glories of devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
  • The sages, beginning with Kavi, will now each speak in turn, answering the questions of the King.

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:

Therefore King Nimi offered the nine Yogendras suitable seats, worshiped them, humbled himself with obeisances and joyfully inquired from them about bhāgavata-dharma. Bhāgavata-dharma, or pure devotional service to the Lord, is the only means of ultimate good fortune for the soul.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.2
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śrī-nāradaḥ uvācaŚrī Nārada said
  2. evamthus
  3. tethey
  4. nimināby King Nimi
  5. pṛṣṭāḥquestioned
  6. vasudevaO Vasudeva
  7. mahat-tamāḥthose best of saints
  8. pratipūjyaoffering him words of respect in return
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”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 11.2

    In this verse: “inquired”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

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

    In this verse: “chanting”, “hearing”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can I bring sincere attention and affection to discussions about devotional service?

Practice

Read this verse aloud today, giving your full attention to its account of hearing and speaking about devotional service.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHear and Speak About Devotional ServiceThis 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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