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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
11.29.4511.29.47

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.29.46

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

सुदुस्त्यजस्‍नेहवियोगकातरो

न शक्नुवंस्तं परिहातुमातुर: ।

कृच्छ्रं ययौ मूर्धनि भर्तृपादुके

बिभ्रन्नमस्कृत्य ययौ पुन: पुन: ॥ ४६ ॥

su-dustyaja-sneha-viyoga-kātaro

na śaknuvaṁs taṁ parihātum āturaḥ

kṛcchraṁ yayau mūrdhani bhartṛ-pāduke

bibhran namaskṛtya yayau punaḥ punaḥ

Translation

Greatly fearing separation from Him for whom he felt such indestructible affection, Uddhava was distraught, and he could not give up the Lord’s company. Finally, feeling great pain, he bowed down to the Lord again and again, placed the slippers of his master upon his head, and departed.

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.

Affection and Obedience in Separation

  1. 1

    Uddhava’s affection for the Lord was indestructible, and separation caused him great pain. He repeatedly bowed down and departed with his master’s slippers upon his head.

  2. 2

    On his way to Badarikāśrama, Uddhava heard of the Lord’s journey to Prabhāsa and turned back. Following Lord Kṛṣṇa, he saw Him alone after the withdrawal of the Yadu dynasty.

  3. 3

    The Personality of Godhead mercifully instructed Uddhava again, along with Maitreya. Uddhava felt his knowledge of the truth reawaken and continued on his way by the Lord’s order.

Key points from the purport
  • According to the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (3.4.5), while Uddhava was enroute to Badarikāśrama he heard about the Lord’s journey to Prabhāsa.
  • Turning back and following Lord Kṛṣṇa from behind, he saw the Lord alone just after the withdrawal of the Yadu dynasty.
  • After being again mercifully instructed by the Personality of Godhead (along with Maitreya, who had just arrived), Uddhava felt his knowledge of the truth reawaken, and then, by the order of the Lord, he went on his way.

The purport's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 1

The purport of SB 11.29.46 quotesSB 3.4.5

According to the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (3.4.5), while Uddhava was enroute to Badarikāśrama he heard about the Lord’s journey to Prabhāsa.

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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. su-dustyajaimpossible to give up
  2. sneha(from Him) in whom he had reposed such affection
  3. viyogabecause of separation
  4. kātaraḥbeside himself
  5. na śaknuvanbeing incapable
  6. tamHim
  7. parihātumto abandon
  8. āturaḥoverwhelmed
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

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

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

    In this verse: “give up”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

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

    In this verse: “fearing”

  • Viraha · Longing in separation

    Love and remembrance experienced in apparent absence. · Theme in SB 11.29

    In this verse: “separation”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can hearing the Lord’s instructions renew your willingness to follow them?

Practice

Reread one instruction of Lord Kṛṣṇa that you have studied, and choose one small way to follow it today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

The purport quotesSB 3.4.5

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 11.29's connections

Live this todayAffection and Obedience in SeparationThis 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 11.29.46? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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