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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
11.27.4511.27.47

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.27.46

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
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

शिरो मत्पादयो: कृत्वा बाहुभ्यां च परस्परम् ।

प्रपन्नं पाहि मामीश भीतं मृत्युग्रहार्णवात् ॥ ४६ ॥

śiro mat-pādayoḥ kṛtvā

bāhubhyāṁ ca parasparam

prapannaṁ pāhi mām īśa

bhītaṁ mṛtyu-grahārṇavāt

Translation

Placing his head at the feet of the Deity, he should then stand with folded hands before the Lord and pray, “O my Lord, please protect me, who am surrendered unto You. I am most fearful of this ocean of material existence, standing as I am in the mouth of death.”

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.

Seek the Lord’s protection in surrender

  1. 1

    The devotee should place his head at the feet of the Deity and then stand before the Lord with folded hands.

  2. 2

    The prayer asks, “O my Lord, please protect me, who am surrendered unto You.”

  3. 3

    The devotee acknowledges fear of the ocean of material existence and the danger of death, seeking the Lord’s protection.

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:

Then he should present clothing and ornaments, sprinkle water on the vessels and other paraphernalia to be used in the worship, and offer water for bathing the Deity’s feet, arghya, water for washing His mouth, fragrant oils, incense, lamps, flowers and food preparations. After this, one should worship the Lord’s personal servants and bodyguards, His consort energies, and the spiritual masters by chanting their respective mūla-mantras.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.27
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śiraḥhis head
  2. mat-pādayoḥat My two feet
  3. kṛtvāplacing
  4. bāhubhyāmwith the hands
  5. caand
  6. parasparamtogether (grasping the feet of the Deity)
  7. prapannamwho am surrendered
  8. pāhiplease protect
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

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 11.27

    In this verse: “fearful”, “death”, “fear”

  • Śaraṇāgati · Wholehearted surrender

    Relinquishing ownership while entrusting oneself to the Lord. · Theme in SB 11.27

    In this verse: “surrendered”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 11.27

    In this verse: “material”

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

What fear would you like to bring before the Lord in a prayer of surrender?

Practice

Fold your hands and slowly offer the prayer given in this verse.

Live this todaySeek the Lord’s protection in surrenderThis 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 11.27.46? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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