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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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.30.19

Who is speaking and story frame

पुत्रा अयुध्यन् पितृभिर्भ्रातृभिश्च

स्वस्रीयदौहित्रपितृव्यमातुलै: ।

मित्राणि मित्रै: सुहृद: सुहृद्भ‍ि-

र्ज्ञातींस्त्वहन् ज्ञातय एव मूढा: ॥ १९ ॥

putrā ayudhyan pitṛbhir bhrātṛbhiś ca

svasrīya-dauhitra-pitṛvya-mātulaiḥ

mitrāṇi mitraiḥ suhṛdaḥ suhṛdbhir

jñātīṁs tv ahan jñātaya eva mūḍhāḥ

Translation

Thus bewildered, sons fought with fathers, brothers with brothers, nephews with paternal and maternal uncles, and grandsons with grandfathers. Friends fought with friends, and well-wishers with well-wishers. In this way intimate friends and relatives all killed one another.

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.

Bewilderment Breaks Intimate Bonds

  1. 1

    In their bewilderment, sons fought fathers, brothers fought brothers, and grandsons fought grandfathers.

  2. 2

    Nephews fought their paternal and maternal uncles. Friends and well-wishers also fought one another.

  3. 3

    Even intimate friendship and family relationships did not prevent them from killing one another.

How it feels

Sorrow and shock → Remembrance and acceptance. Devotees face a devastating change in visible association.

Chapters 30–31 of Canto 11: The Yadu dynasty and Kṛṣṇa disappear. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 30: The Disappearance of the Yadu Dynasty

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Thus losing their intelligence, they quarreled among themselves and began killing one another, until not a man was left alive. Afterward, Śrī Baladeva went to the shore of the ocean and by the mystic strength of yoga gave up His body.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.30
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. putrāḥsons
  2. ayudhyanfought
  3. pitṛbhiḥwith their fathers
  4. bhrātṛbhiḥwith brothers
  5. caand
  6. svasrīyawith the sons of sisters
  7. dauhitrathe sons of daughters
  8. pitṛvyapaternal uncles
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

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 11.30

    In this verse: “friends”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 11.30

    In this verse: “fathers”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How am I treating the relatives, friends and well-wishers closest to me?

Practice

Speak one gentle, appreciative sentence to a relative or well-wisher today.

5

The story around it

The stories this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayBewilderment Breaks Intimate BondsThis 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 11.30.19? Get an answer from the verses themselves.