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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 31: The Disappearance of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa
11.31.911.31.11

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.31.10

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 11.31.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

ब्रह्मरुद्रादयस्ते तु द‍ृष्ट्वा योगगतिं हरे: ।

विस्मितास्तां प्रशंसन्त: स्वं स्वं लोकं ययुस्तदा ॥ १० ॥

brahma-rudrādayas te tu

dṛṣṭvā yoga-gatiṁ hareḥ

vismitās tāṁ praśaṁsantaḥ

svaṁ svaṁ lokaṁ yayus tadā

Translation

A few of the demigods, however — notably Lord Brahmā and Lord Śiva — could ascertain how the Lord’s mystic power was working, and thus they became astonished. All the demigods praised the Lord’s mystic power and then returned to their own planets.

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.

Wonder Leads to Praise

  1. 1

    A few demigods, notably Lord Brahmā and Lord Śiva, could ascertain how the Lord’s mystic power was working and became astonished.

  2. 2

    The purport emphasizes that even demigods, who are virtually omniscient within this universe, could not understand the movements of Kṛṣṇa’s mystic potency.

  3. 3

    All the demigods praised the Lord’s mystic power and then returned to their own planets.

Key points from the purport
  • Although the demigods are virtually omniscient within this universe, they could not understand the movements of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s mystic potency.

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 31: The Disappearance of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

All the demigods who, in pursuance of the desire of Lord Kṛṣṇa, had taken birth in the Yadu dynasty to render assistance in His pastimes followed Lord Kṛṣṇa and returned to their respective abodes. The Lord’s activities of creating a life for Himself and then dismantling it are simply tricks of Māyā, like an actor’s performance.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.31
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. brahma-rudra-ādayaḥBrahmā, Rudra and others
  2. tethey
  3. tubut
  4. dṛṣṭvāseeing
  5. yoga-gatimthe mystic power
  6. hareḥof Lord Kṛṣṇa
  7. vismitāḥastonished
  8. tāmthat power
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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 11.31

    In this verse: “understand”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Can you praise Kṛṣṇa even when His power exceeds your understanding?

Practice

Offer one short expression of praise for Lord Kṛṣṇa’s wondrous power.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayWonder Leads to PraiseThis 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 11.31.10? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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