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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
11.29.41-4411.29.46

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.29.45

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 11.29.45inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

श्रीशुक उवाच

स एवमुक्तो हरिमेधसोद्धव:

प्रदक्षिणं तं परिसृत्य पादयो: ।

शिरो निधायाश्रुकलाभिरार्द्रधी-

र्न्यषिञ्चदद्वन्द्वपरोऽप्यपक्रमे ॥ ४५ ॥

śrī-śuka uvāca

sa evam ukto hari-medhasoddhavaḥ

pradakṣiṇaṁ taṁ parisṛtya pādayoḥ

śiro nidhāyāśru-kalābhir ārdra-dhīr

nyaṣiñcad advandva-paro ’py apakrame

Translation

Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Thus addressed by Lord Kṛṣṇa, whose intelligence destroys all the suffering of material life, Śrī Uddhava circumambulated the Lord and then fell down, placing his head upon the Lord’s feet. Although Uddhava was free from the influence of all material dualities, his heart was breaking, and at this time of departure he drenched the Lord’s lotus feet with his tears.

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.

Love Beyond Material Dualities

  1. 1

    Lord Kṛṣṇa’s intelligence destroys all the suffering of material life.

  2. 2

    After hearing the Lord, Śrī Uddhava circumambulated Him and bowed down, placing his head upon His feet.

  3. 3

    Although Uddhava was free from material dualities, his heart was breaking at departure. His tears drenched 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. śrī-śukaḥ uvācaŚrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said
  2. saḥhe
  3. evamthus
  4. uktaḥaddressed
  5. hari-medhasāby the Supreme Lord, whose intelligence takes away the misery of material life
  6. uddhavaḥUddhava
  7. pradakṣiṇamfacing with his right side
  8. tamHim
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: “material”

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 11.29

    In this verse: “free from”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

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

    In this verse: “suffering”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does Uddhava’s response deepen your understanding of love for the Lord?

Practice

Today, bow before Lord Kṛṣṇa and take a quiet moment to express your devotion.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayLove Beyond Material DualitiesThis 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 11.29.45? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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