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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.
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Canto 11 · Chapter 26: The Aila-gītā
11.26.3111.26.33

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.26.32

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
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

निमज्ज्योन्मज्जतां घोरे भवाब्धौ परमायणम् ।

सन्तो ब्रह्मविद: शान्ता नौर्दृढेवाप्सु मज्जताम् ॥ ३२ ॥

nimajjyonmajjatāṁ ghore

bhavābdhau paramāyaṇam

santo brahma-vidaḥ śāntā

naur dṛḍhevāpsu majjatām

Translation

The devotees of the Lord, peacefully fixed in absolute knowledge, are the ultimate shelter for those who are repeatedly rising and falling within the fearful ocean of material life. Such devotees are just like a strong boat that comes to rescue persons who are at the point of drowning.

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.

Devotees Are a Strong Boat of Shelter

  1. 1

    Material life is like a fearful ocean in which people repeatedly rise and fall.

  2. 2

    The Lord’s devotees are peaceful and firmly fixed in absolute knowledge. They are the ultimate shelter for those struggling in this ocean.

  3. 3

    Such devotees are like a strong boat rescuing people at the point of drowning.

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:

By their transcendental instructions, the saintly devotees of the Lord can break the false attachments of one’s mind. Real saints are always liberated and devoted to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.26
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. nimajjyaof those who are submerging
  2. unmajjatāmand rising again
  3. ghorein the horrible
  4. bhavaof material life
  5. abdhauocean
  6. paramasupreme
  7. ayanamshelter
  8. santaḥsaintly devotees
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotees”

  • Śaraṇāgati · Wholehearted surrender

    Relinquishing ownership while entrusting oneself to the Lord. · Theme in SB 11.26

    In this verse: “shelter”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 11.26

    In this verse: “knowledge”

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

When life feels overwhelming, do I seek shelter from peaceful devotees of the Lord?

Practice

Today, ask a peaceful devotee for guidance on one difficulty you are facing.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDevotees Are a Strong Boat of ShelterThis 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 11.26.32? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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