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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 26: The Aila-gītā
11.26.2711.26.29

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.26.28

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Supreme Personality of Godheadsince 11.26.25inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Kṛṣṇa → Uddhava

तेषु नित्यं महाभाग महाभागेषु मत्कथा: ।

सम्भवन्ति हि ता नृणां जुषतां प्रपुनन्त्यघम् ॥ २८ ॥

teṣu nityaṁ mahā-bhāga

mahā-bhāgeṣu mat-kathāḥ

sambhavanti hi tā nṝṇāṁ

juṣatāṁ prapunanty agham

Translation

O greatly fortunate Uddhava, in the association of such saintly devotees there is constant discussion of Me, and those partaking in this chanting and hearing of My glories are certainly purified of all sins.

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.

Hearing the Lord's Glories Purifies

  1. 1

    In the association of saintly devotees, discussion of the Lord takes place constantly.

  2. 2

    Those who participate in chanting and hearing His glories are purified of all sins.

  3. 3

    Even without receiving direct instructions from a pure devotee, one can be purified simply by hearing him glorify the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This removes sinful reactions caused by involvement in illusion.

Key points from the purport
  • Even if one does not receive direct instructions from a pure devotee, simply by hearing him glorify the Supreme Personality of Godhead one can be purified of all sinful reactions caused by one’s involvement in illusion.

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

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 26: The Aila-gītā

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

In their association there are constant discussions about the Supreme Lord, by serving whom the spirit soul completely eradicates his material sins and obtains pure devotional service. And when one gains the devotional service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the original ocean of unlimited perfect qualities, what else remains to be gained?
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.26
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. teṣuamong them
  2. nityamconstantly
  3. mahā-bhāgaO greatly fortunate Uddhava
  4. mahā-bhāgeṣuamong these greatly fortunate devotees
  5. mat-kathāḥdiscussions about Me
  6. sambhavantiarise
  7. hiindeed
  8. tāḥthese topics
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 11.26

    In this verse: “chanting”, “hearing”, “glorify”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 11.26

    In this verse: “purified”, “sins”, “sinful”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 11.26

    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

Do I value hearing a devotee glorify the Lord, even when no instruction is addressed directly to me?

Practice

Listen attentively for a few minutes to a pure devotee glorifying the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHearing the Lord's Glories PurifiesThis 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 11.26.28? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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