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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 29: Bhakti-yoga
11.29.2211.29.24

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.29.23

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Supreme Personality of Godheadsince 11.29.8inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Kṛṣṇa → Uddhava

एष तेऽभिहित: कृत्‍स्‍नो ब्रह्मवादस्य सङ्ग्रह: ।

समासव्यासविधिना देवानामपि दुर्गम: ॥ २३ ॥

eṣa te ’bhihitaḥ kṛtsno

brahma-vādasya saṅgrahaḥ

samāsa-vyāsa-vidhinā

devānām api durgamaḥ

Translation

Thus have I related to you — both in brief and in detail — a complete survey of the science of the Absolute Truth. Even for the demigods, this science is very difficult to comprehend.

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.

Understanding Requires Full Surrender

  1. 1

    The Lord has given a complete survey of the science of the Absolute Truth, both briefly and in detail.

  2. 2

    Even demigods, saints and pious philosophers in the mode of goodness may find this science difficult to understand.

  3. 3

    Goodness alone does not bring understanding of the Absolute Truth. Full surrender to the Supreme Personality of Godhead is needed.

Key points from the purport
  • The word devānām indicates those living beings in the mode of goodness (such as demigods, saints and pious philosophers) who nevertheless cannot understand the Absolute Truth because they lack full surrender to the Personality of Godhead.

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 29: Bhakti-yoga

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

One should take advantage of the sacred abodes of the Lord, where His devotees reside, and one should serve the Lord and celebrate the festivals and holidays in His honor. By understanding all living beings to be Lord Kṛṣṇa’s place of residence, one can attain the ability to see equally everywhere, and thus all faulty qualities of envy, false ego and so on will be removed.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.29
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. eṣaḥthis
  2. teunto you
  3. abhihitaḥhas been described
  4. kṛtsnaḥcompletely
  5. brahma-vādasyaof the science of the Absolute Truth
  6. saṅgrahaḥthe survey
  7. samāsain brief
  8. vyāsain detail
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Īśānukathā · The science of God

    Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 of 10

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 11.29

    In this verse: “absolute truth”, “philosophers”, “understand”

  • Śaraṇāgati · Wholehearted surrender

    Relinquishing ownership while entrusting oneself to the Lord. · Theme in SB 11.29

    In this verse: “surrender”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Am I approaching the Lord’s teachings with a willingness to surrender?

Practice

Before studying today, offer a brief prayer for willingness to surrender to the Lord.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayUnderstanding Requires Full 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 11.29.23? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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