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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
11.29.3611.29.38

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.29.37

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Uddhavasince 11.29.37inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Kṛṣṇa → Uddhava

श्रीउद्धव उवाच

विद्रावितो मोहमहान्धकारो

य आश्रितो मे तव सन्निधानात् ।

विभावसो: किं नु समीपगस्य

शीतं तमो भी: प्रभवन्त्यजाद्य ॥ ३७ ॥

śrī-uddhava uvāca

vidrāvito moha-mahāndhakāro

ya āśrito me tava sannidhānāt

vibhāvasoḥ kiṁ nu samīpa-gasya

śītaṁ tamo bhīḥ prabhavanty ajādya

Translation

Śrī Uddhava said: O unborn, primeval Lord, although I had fallen into the great darkness of illusion, my ignorance has now been dispelled by Your merciful association. Indeed, how can cold, darkness and fear exert their power over one who has approached the brilliant sun?

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.

The Lord’s Association Dispels Illusion

  1. 1

    Uddhava says that the Lord’s merciful association has dispelled the great darkness of his ignorance.

  2. 2

    He compares approaching the Lord to approaching the brilliant sun, where cold, darkness and fear cannot exert their power.

  3. 3

    Although he feared separation from Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Uddhava now understands that the Lord is everything. Kṛṣṇa consciousness cannot be threatened or diminished for one who takes full shelter of His lotus feet.

Key points from the purport
  • Although Śrī Uddhava feared separation from the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Kṛṣṇa, he now understands that in a fundamental sense the Lord is everything.
  • Kṛṣṇa consciousness can never be threatened or diminished for one who has taken full shelter of the lotus feet of 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. śrī-uddhavaḥ uvācaŚrī Uddhava said
  2. vidrāvitaḥis driven away
  3. mohaof delusion
  4. mahā-andhakāraḥthe great darkness
  5. yaḥwhich
  6. āśritaḥwas taken shelter of
  7. meby me
  8. tavaYour
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 11.29

    In this verse: “illusion”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 11.29

    In this verse: “fear”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 11.29

    In this verse: “merciful”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

When I feel afraid, how can I turn toward shelter in Lord Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Read Uddhava’s comparison with the sun and offer a brief prayer for full shelter at the Lord’s lotus feet.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord’s Association Dispels IllusionThis 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 11.29.37? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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