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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 23: The Song of the Avantī Brāhmaṇa
11.22.6111.23.2

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.23.1

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 11.23.1inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Kṛṣṇa → Uddhava

श्रीबादरायणिरुवाच

स एवमाशंसित उद्धवेन

भागवतमुख्येन दाशार्हमुख्य: ।

सभाजयन् भृत्यवचो मुकुन्द-

स्तमाबभाषे श्रवणीयवीर्य: ॥ १ ॥

śrī-bādarāyaṇir uvāca

sa evam āśaṁsita uddhavena

bhāgavata-mukhyena dāśārha-mukhyaḥ

sabhājayan bhṛtya-vaco mukundas

tam ābabhāṣe śravaṇīya-vīryaḥ

Translation

Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Lord Mukunda, the chief of the Dāśārhas, having thus been respectfully requested by the best of His devotees, Śrī Uddhava, first acknowledged the fitness of his servant’s statements. Then the Lord, whose glorious exploits are most worthy of being heard, began to reply to him.

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.

Respectfully Hear the Lord’s Reply

  1. 1

    Śrī Uddhava, the best of the Lord’s devotees, respectfully requested the Lord to speak.

  2. 2

    Lord Mukunda first acknowledged the fitness of His servant’s statements. He then began His reply.

  3. 3

    The Lord’s glorious exploits are most worthy of being heard. This exchange shows respectful speaking and attentive hearing between the Lord and His devotee.

How it feels

Striving → Complete devotional trust. The Lord redirects Uddhava toward enduring loving service.

Chapters 21–29 of Canto 11: Spiritual practice culminating in bhakti-yoga. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 23: The Song of the Avantī Brāhmaṇa

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

This chapter tells the story of a mendicant sannyāsī from the Avantī country as an example of how one should tolerate the disturbances and offenses created by evil persons. The harsh words of uncouth persons pierce the heart even more severely than arrows.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.23
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śrī-bādarāyaṇiḥ uvācaŚrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said
  2. saḥHe
  3. evamthus
  4. āśaṁsitaḥrespectfully requested
  5. uddhavenaby Uddhava
  6. bhāgavataof the devotees
  7. mukhyenaby the greatest
  8. dāśārhaof the dynasty of Dāśārha (the Yadus)
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

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 11.23

    In this verse: “heard”, “hearing”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 11.23

    In this verse: “devotees”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can I bring greater respect and attention to hearing about the Lord?

Practice

Read this translation slowly once more, giving your full attention to the Lord’s response to His devotee.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRespectfully Hear the Lord’s ReplyThis 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 11.23.1? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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