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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 3: Liberation from the Illusory Energy
11.3.911.3.11

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.3.10

Nirodha· Winding up
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śrī Antarīkṣasince 11.3.3inside 4 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitNārada Muni → VasudevaThe nine Yogendras → King Nimi

पातालतलमारभ्य सङ्कर्षणमुखानल: ।

दहन्नूर्ध्वशिखो विष्वग्वर्धते वायुनेरित: ॥ १० ॥

pātāla-talam ārabhya

saṅkarṣaṇa-mukhānalaḥ

dahann ūrdhva-śikho viṣvag

vardhate vāyuneritaḥ

Translation

Beginning from Pātālaloka, a fire grows, emanating from the mouth of Lord Saṅkarṣaṇa. Its flames shooting upward, driven by great winds, it scorches everything in all directions.

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.

Lord Saṅkarṣaṇa’s Fire Spreads Everywhere

  1. 1

    A fire emanates from the mouth of Lord Saṅkarṣaṇa.

  2. 2

    Beginning from Pātālaloka, the fire grows with its flames shooting upward.

  3. 3

    Driven by great winds, the fire scorches everything in all directions.

How it feels

Foreboding → Devotional urgency. Uddhava realizes that Kṛṣṇa's visible association is nearing an end.

Chapters 1–6 of Canto 11: The Yadu curse, the nine Yogendras and farewell signs. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 3: Liberation from the Illusory Energy

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Such great personalities, who have taken shelter of the Supreme Godhead, leaving aside all material considerations, should be understood to be bona fide spiritual masters. Accepting the bona fide spiritual master as one’s life and soul, the submissive disciple should learn from him the process of pure devotional service, which satisfies the Supreme Lord.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.3
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. pātāla-talamthe planet Pātāla
  2. ārabhyabeginning from
  3. saṅkarṣaṇa-mukhafrom the mouth of the Supreme Lord in His form as Saṅkarṣaṇa
  4. analaḥthe fire
  5. dahanburning
  6. ūrdhva-śikhaḥits flame going upward
  7. viṣvakall the directions
  8. vardhategrows
  9. vāyunāby winds
  10. īritaḥimpelled
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Nirodha · Returning home, back to Godhead

    What happens when everything here comes to an end? · Subject 8 of 10

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does the fire spreading in all directions reveal about the extent of cosmic annihilation?

Practice

Write down the three details of this fire: its source, its starting place and how it spreads.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayLord Saṅkarṣaṇa’s Fire Spreads EverywhereThis 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 11.3.10? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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