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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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Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.29.7

Who is speaking and story frame

श्रीशुक उवाच

इत्युद्धवेनात्यनुरक्तचेतसा

पृष्टो जगत्क्रीडनक: स्वशक्तिभि: ।

गृहीतमूर्तित्रय ईश्वरेश्वरो

जगाद सप्रेममनोहरस्मित: ॥ ७ ॥

śrī-śuka uvāca

ity uddhavenāty-anurakta-cetasā

pṛṣṭo jagat-krīḍanakaḥ sva-śaktibhiḥ

gṛhīta-mūrti-traya īśvareśvaro

jagāda sa-prema-manohara-smitaḥ

Translation

Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Thus questioned by the most affectionate Uddhava, Lord Kṛṣṇa, the supreme controller of all controllers, who takes the entire universe as His plaything and assumes the three forms of Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Śiva, began to reply, lovingly displaying His all-attractive smile.

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.

The Supreme Controller Replies with Love

  1. 1

    Śukadeva Gosvāmī describes Uddhava as most affectionate toward Lord Kṛṣṇa.

  2. 2

    Lord Kṛṣṇa is the supreme controller of all controllers. He takes the universe as His plaything and assumes the forms of Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Śiva.

  3. 3

    In response to Uddhava’s questions, the Lord begins to speak while lovingly displaying His all-attractive smile.

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:

In reply, Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa gave brief instructions on devotional service. The fruitive workers and mystic yogīs, who are bewildered by the illusory energy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and puffed up by their false identifications, refuse to take shelter of the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord.
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. itithus
  3. uddhavenaby Uddhava
  4. ati-anuraktaextremely attached
  5. cetasāwhose heart
  6. pṛṣṭaḥasked
  7. jagatthe universe
  8. krīḍanakaḥwhose plaything
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

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does the Lord’s loving response affect the way you approach Him?

Practice

Pause today to remember Lord Kṛṣṇa’s loving smile as He replies to Uddhava.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Supreme Controller Replies with LoveThis 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 11.29.7? Get an answer from the verses themselves.