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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
11.26.411.26.6

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.26.5

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Supreme Personality of Godheadsince 11.26.1inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Kṛṣṇa → Uddhava

त्यक्त्वात्मानं व्रजन्तीं तां नग्न उन्मत्तवन्नृप: ।

विलपन्नन्वगाज्जाये घोरे तिष्ठेति विक्लव: ॥ ५ ॥

tyaktvātmānaṁ vrayantīṁ tāṁ

nagna unmatta-van nṛpaḥ

vilapann anvagāj jāye

ghore tiṣṭheti viklavaḥ

Translation

When she was leaving him, even though he was naked he ran after her just like a madman and called out in great distress, “O my wife, O terrible lady! Please stop!”

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.

Attachment Can Overwhelm Composure

  1. 1

    As his beloved wife left him, the king was shocked and overwhelmed with distress.

  2. 2

    Although naked, he ran after her like a madman and begged her to stop.

  3. 3

    His cries expressed his desperate wish that she remain and speak with him. In this state of lamentation, he continued following her.

Key points from the purport
  • As his beloved wife was leaving him, the shocked king was crying out, “My dear wife, please think for a moment.
  • Why don’t we speak together for a while?

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:

The emperor Purūravā, who was bewildered by the association of the heavenly lady Urvaśī, later became renounced after being separated from her. He thus sang a song expressing his contempt for womanly connection.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.26
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tyaktvāabandoning
  2. ātmānamhim
  3. vrajantīmgoing away
  4. tāmunto her
  5. nagnaḥbeing naked
  6. unmatta-vatlike a madman
  7. nṛpaḥthe king
  8. vilapancrying out
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 11.26

    In this verse: “distress”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 11.26

    In this verse: “king”

  • Viraha · Longing in separation

    Love and remembrance experienced in apparent absence. · Theme in SB 11.26

    In this verse: “lamentation”

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 has fear of losing someone overwhelmed my composure?

Practice

If distress urges you to make a desperate appeal today, pause briefly before speaking.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayAttachment Can Overwhelm ComposureThis 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 11.26.5? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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