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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
11.26.3211.26.34

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.26.33

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

अन्नं हि प्राणिनां प्राण आर्तानां शरणं त्वहम् ।

धर्मो वित्तं नृणां प्रेत्य सन्तोऽर्वाग् बिभ्यतोऽरणम् ॥ ३३ ॥

annaṁ hi prāṇināṁ prāṇa

ārtānāṁ śaraṇaṁ tv aham

dharmo vittaṁ nṛṇāṁ pretya

santo ’rvāg bibhyato ’raṇam

Translation

Just as food is the life of all creatures, just as I am the ultimate shelter for the distressed, and just as religion is the wealth of those who are passing away from this world, so My devotees are the only refuge of persons fearful of falling into a miserable condition of life.

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.

Find Safety in Devotees’ Loving Guidance

  1. 1

    Food sustains living creatures, the Lord is the ultimate shelter for the distressed, and religion is wealth for those leaving this world.

  2. 2

    The Lord’s devotees are the only refuge for those afraid of falling into a miserable condition of life.

  3. 3

    Those afraid of being dragged down by material lust and anger should take shelter of the Lord’s devotees. These devotees can engage them safely in the Lord’s loving service.

Key points from the purport
  • Those fearful of being dragged down by material lust and anger should take shelter of the lotus feet of the Lord’s devotees, who can engage one safely in the Lord’s loving service.

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:

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. annamfood
  2. hiindeed
  3. prāṇināmof living entities
  4. prāṇaḥthe very life
  5. ārtānāmof those who are distressed
  6. śaraṇamthe shelter
  7. tuand
  8. ahamI
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

  • Śaraṇāgati · Wholehearted surrender

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

    In this verse: “shelter”, “refuge”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 11.26

    In this verse: “wealth”, “lust”, “material”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 11.26

    In this verse: “fearful”, “afraid”

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 could guidance from a devotee help me turn from anger toward loving service?

Practice

Ask a devotee for one small way you can serve the Lord today, and carry it out.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayFind Safety in Devotees’ Loving GuidanceThis 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 11.26.33? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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