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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
11.29.3911.29.41-44

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.29.40

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Uddhavasince 11.29.37inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Kṛṣṇa → Uddhava

नमोऽस्तु ते महायोगिन् प्रपन्नमनुशाधि माम् ।

यथा त्वच्चरणाम्भोजे रति: स्यादनपायिनी ॥ ४० ॥

namo ’stu te mahā-yogin

prapannam anuśādhi mām

yathā tvac-caraṇāmbhoje

ratiḥ syād anapāyinī

Translation

Obeisances unto You, O greatest of yogīs. Please instruct me, who am surrendered unto You, how I may have undeviating attachment to Your lotus feet.

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.

Pray for Undeviating Attachment

  1. 1

    Uddhava offers obeisances to the Lord, addressing Him as the greatest of yogīs.

  2. 2

    As one surrendered to the Lord, he asks to be instructed.

  3. 3

    His request is for undeviating attachment to the Lord’s lotus feet.

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. namaḥ astulet me offer my obeisances
  2. teunto You
  3. mahā-yoginO greatest of mystics
  4. prapannamwho am surrendered
  5. anuśādhiplease instruct
  6. māmme
  7. yathāhow
  8. tvatYour
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “attachment”

  • Śaraṇāgati · Wholehearted surrender

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

    In this verse: “surrendered”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Am I willing to receive instruction that strengthens my attachment to the Lord?

Practice

Repeat Uddhava’s request in your own words, asking the Lord for instruction and steady attachment to His lotus feet.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayPray for Undeviating AttachmentThis 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.

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