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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
11.2.4311.2.45

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.2.44

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:King Nimisince 11.2.44inside 4 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitNārada Muni → VasudevaThe nine Yogendras → King Nimi

श्रीराजोवाच

अथ भागवतं ब्रूत यद्धर्मो याद‍ृशो नृणाम् ।

यथा चरति यद् ब्रूते यैर्लिङ्गैर्भगवत्प्रिय: ॥ ४४ ॥

śrī-rājovāca

atha bhāgavataṁ brūta

yad-dharmo yādṛśo nṛṇām

yathācarati yad brūte

yair liṅgair bhagavat-priyaḥ

Translation

Mahārāja Nimi said: Now please tell me in greater detail about the devotees of the Supreme Lord. What are the natural symptoms by which I can distinguish between the most advanced devotees, those on the middle level and those who are neophytes? What are the typical religious activities of a Vaiṣṇava, and how does he speak? Specifically, please describe those symptoms and characteristics by which Vaiṣṇavas become dear to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

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.

Honor Devotees and Seek Advancing Association

  1. 1

    Mahārāja Nimi humbly asks about the character, behavior and speech of devotees. He wants to understand the distinctions between beginning, intermediate and most advanced Vaiṣṇavas.

  2. 2

    Anyone who faithfully chants the holy name of Kṛṣṇa should be considered a Vaiṣṇava. Such a devotee should receive respect at least within one’s mind.

  3. 3

    For practical advancement in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, one should associate at least with an intermediate devotee. The mercy of a first-class devotee makes perfection in devotional service very easily attainable.

Key points from the purport
  • The great sage Kavi has informed King Nimi about the general external symptoms of a devotee of the Lord, namely his appearance, personal qualities and activities.
  • But now King Nimi asks how to make further distinctions among the servants of the Supreme Personality of Godhead so that the first-class, second-class and lower-class Vaiṣṇavas can be clearly identified.
  • Thus Nimi Mahārāja is humbly inquiring, “What are the character, behavior and speech of devotees?”

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:

Next Havir spoke, describing the different characteristics of first-class, second-class and third-class devotees: “One who offers prescribed worship with faith to the Deity of Lord Viṣṇu but has no devotion for Vaiṣṇavas and things related to Viṣṇu is a materialistic devotee. One who shows love for the Lord, friendship for the Lord’s devotees, mercy for the ignorant and indifference for the enemies of Viṣṇu and the Vaiṣṇavas is an intermediate 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. śrī-rājā uvācathe King spoke
  2. athanext
  3. bhāgavatamabout the devotee of the Personality of Godhead
  4. brūtaplease tell me
  5. yat-dharmaḥhaving what duties
  6. yādṛśaḥhaving what nature
  7. nṛṇāmamong men
  8. yathāhow
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: “devotees”, “devotional service”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

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

    In this verse: “chants”, “holy name”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 11.2

    In this verse: “religious”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Am I honoring those who chant Kṛṣṇa’s name while seeking association that helps my devotional service grow?

Practice

Today, consciously offer respect within your mind to a devotee who faithfully chants Kṛṣṇa’s holy name.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHonor Devotees and Seek Advancing AssociationThis 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 11.2.44? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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