1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 11 · General History · 31 chapters

12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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 30: The Disappearance of the Yadu Dynasty
11.30.111.30.3

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.30.2

Nirodha· Winding up
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:King Parīkṣitsince 11.30.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

ब्रह्मशापोपसंसृष्टे स्वकुले यादवर्षभ: ।

प्रेयसीं सर्वनेत्राणां तनुं स कथमत्यजत् ॥ २ ॥

brahma-śāpopasaṁsṛṣṭe

sva-kule yādavarṣabhaḥ

preyasīṁ sarva-netrāṇāṁ

tanuṁ sa katham atyajat

Translation

After His own dynasty met destruction from the curse of the brāhmaṇas, how could the best of the Yadus give up His body, the dearmost object of all eyes?

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.

Kṛṣṇa Never Gives Up His Eternal Form

  1. 1

    The question asks how the best of the Yadus could give up His body, the dearmost object of all eyes.

  2. 2

    Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī explains that the Personality of Godhead never gives up His spiritual body. It is eternal, full of bliss and knowledge.

  3. 3

    The question means, “How is it possible?” Kṛṣṇa cannot give up His eternal form, which is supremely attractive to the eyes and all other senses.

Key points from the purport
  • In relation to this verse, Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī explains that the Personality of Godhead never gives up His spiritual body, which is eternal, full of bliss and knowledge.
  • The word katham therefore indicates “How is it possible?”, meaning it is not actually possible for Lord Kṛṣṇa to give up His eternal form, which is preyasīṁ sarva-netrāṇām, the most attractive object of pleasure for the eyes and all other senses.

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

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:

This chapter discusses the destruction of the Yadu dynasty in connection with the winding up of the pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. After Śrī Uddhava left for Badarikāśrama, Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, taking note of many bad omens, advised the Yādavas to abandon Dvārakā and go to Prabhāsa, on the bank of the Sarasvatī, to perform svasty-ayana and other rituals for counteracting bad fortune.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.30
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. brahma-śāpaby the curse of the brāhmaṇas
  2. upasaṁsṛṣṭehaving been destroyed
  3. sva-kuleHis own family
  4. yādava-ṛṣabhaḥthe chief of the Yadus
  5. preyasīmmost dear
  6. sarva-netrāṇāmto all eyes
  7. tanumthe body
  8. saḥHe
  9. kathamhow
  10. atyajatgave up
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

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 11.30

    In this verse: “give up”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 11.30

    In this verse: “knowledge”

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 does this explanation help you distinguish Kṛṣṇa’s spiritual form from an ordinary body?

Practice

Spend one minute remembering that Kṛṣṇa’s form is eternal, full of bliss and knowledge.

5

The story around it

The stories this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa Never Gives Up His Eternal FormThis 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 11.30.2? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories