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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 29: Bhakti-yoga
11.29.3511.29.37

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.29.36

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 11.29.35inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Kṛṣṇa → Uddhava

विष्टभ्य चित्तं प्रणयावघूर्णं

धैर्येण राजन् बहु मन्यमान: ।

कृताञ्जलि: प्राह यदुप्रवीरं

शीर्ष्णा स्पृशंस्तच्चरणारविन्दम् ॥ ३६ ॥

viṣṭabhya cittaṁ praṇayāvaghūrṇaṁ

dhairyeṇa rājan bahu-manyamānaḥ

kṛtāñjaliḥ prāha yadu-pravīraṁ

śīrṣṇā spṛśaṁs tac-caraṇāravindam

Translation

Steadying his mind, which had become overwhelmed with love, Uddhava felt extremely grateful to Lord Kṛṣṇa, the greatest hero of the Yadu dynasty. My dear King Parīkṣit, Uddhava bowed down to touch the Lord’s lotus feet with his head and then spoke with folded hands.

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.

Gratitude Steadies the Mind

  1. 1

    Fear of separation from Lord Kṛṣṇa continually entered Uddhava’s mind.

  2. 2

    He maintained his enthusiasm by remembering the Lord’s great kindness. Feelings of gratitude toward the Lord steadied his mind.

  3. 3

    Uddhava bowed down, touching the Lord’s lotus feet with his head, and then spoke with folded hands.

Key points from the purport
  • According to Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī, the fear of separation from Lord Kṛṣṇa was continually entering the mind of Śrī Uddhava, and thus he tried to maintain his enthusiasm by remembering the Lord’s great kindness upon him.
  • He steadied his mind with feelings of gratitude toward the Lord.

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:

After receiving these instructions, Śrī Uddhava went to Badarikāśrama in pursuance of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s order, and by perfectly carrying out the instructions of the Supreme Lord, he attained the Lord’s transcendental abode. By faithfully serving these instructions spoken by the Personality of Godhead to Uddhava, the greatest of devotees, the entire world can become liberated.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.29
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. viṣṭabhyarestraining
  2. cittamhis mind
  3. praṇayawith love
  4. avaghūrṇamcompletely agitated
  5. dhairyeṇawith steadfastness
  6. rājanO King
  7. bahu-manyamānaḥfeeling grateful
  8. kṛta-añjaliḥhis hands folded
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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 11.29

    In this verse: “king”

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 11.29

    In this verse: “love”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 11.29

    In this verse: “kindness”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How might remembering the Lord’s kindness help steady my mind?

Practice

Pause today to remember one kindness of Lord Kṛṣṇa and express your gratitude in a short prayer.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayGratitude Steadies the MindThis 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 11.29.36? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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