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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 27: Lord Kṛṣṇa’s Instructions on the Process of Deity Worship
11.27.2711.27.29

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.27.28

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Supreme Personality of Godheadsince 11.27.6inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Kṛṣṇa → Uddhava

नन्दं सुनन्दं गरुडं प्रचण्डं चण्डमेव च ।

महाबलं बलं चैव कुमुदं कमुदेक्षणम् ॥ २८ ॥

nandaṁ sunandaṁ garuḍaṁ

pracaṇḍaṁ caṇḍam eva ca

mahābalaṁ balaṁ caiva

kumudaṁ kumudekṣaṇam

Translation

One should worship the Lord’s associates Nanda and Sunanda, Garuḍa, Pracaṇḍa and Caṇḍa, Mahābala and Bala, and Kumuda and Kumudekṣaṇa.

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.

Honor the Lord’s Associates

  1. 1

    The Lord instructs the worshiper to worship His associates, including Nanda, Sunanda and Garuḍa.

  2. 2

    Pracaṇḍa, Caṇḍa, Mahābala and Bala are also named among the associates to be worshiped.

  3. 3

    Kumuda and Kumudekṣaṇa complete the list. Honoring these associates is included in the Lord’s instructions for worship.

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 27: Lord Kṛṣṇa’s Instructions on the Process of Deity Worship

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

These categories are further subdivided into two: temporary and permanent. The details of the worshiping process are as follows: The devotee should bathe both physically and by chanting mantras, and then he should perform the utterance of Gāyatrī at the prescribed juncture of the day.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.27
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. nandam sunandam garuḍamnamed Nanda, Sunanda and Garuḍa
  2. pracaṇḍam caṇḍamPracaṇḍa and Caṇḍa
  3. evaindeed
  4. caalso
  5. mahā-balam balamMahābala and Bala
  6. caand
  7. evaindeed
  8. kumudam kumuda-īkṣaṇamKumuda and Kumudekṣaṇa
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 11.27

    In this verse: “worship”, “worshiper”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 11.27

    In this verse: “nanda”

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 give thoughtful attention to the associates the Lord asks me to honor?

Practice

Read the associates’ names slowly once, with respect for their relationship with the Lord.

Live this todayHonor the Lord’s AssociatesThis 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 11.27.28? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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