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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
11.31.1411.31.16-17

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.31.15

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

दारुको द्वारकामेत्य वसुदेवोग्रसेनयो: ।

पतित्वा चरणावस्रैर्न्यषिञ्चत् कृष्णविच्युत: ॥ १५ ॥

dāruko dvārakām etya

vasudevograsenayoḥ

patitvā caraṇāv asrair

nyaṣiñcat kṛṣṇa-vicyutaḥ

Translation

As soon as Dāruka reached Dvārakā, he threw himself at the feet of Vasudeva and Ugrasena and drenched their feet with his tears, lamenting the loss of Lord Kṛṣṇa.

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.

Dāruka’s Tears of Separation

  1. 1

    As soon as Dāruka reached Dvārakā, he approached Vasudeva and Ugrasena.

  2. 2

    He threw himself at their feet and drenched their feet with tears.

  3. 3

    His lamentation arose from the loss of Lord Kṛṣṇa. The verse shows how deeply His absence affected Dāruka.

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:

Upon learning from Dāruka that Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa had returned to His abode, Vasudeva and all the others remaining in Dvārakā became very much agitated by lamentation and went out from the city to find Him. 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.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.31
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. dārukaḥDāruka
  2. dvārakāmin Dvārakā
  3. etyaarriving
  4. vasudeva-ugrasenayoḥof Vasudeva and Ugrasena
  5. patitvāfalling down
  6. caraṇauat the feet
  7. asraiḥwith his tears
  8. nyaṣiñcatdrenched
  9. kṛṣṇa-vicyutaḥdeprived of Lord Kṛṣṇa
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

  • Viraha · Longing in separation

    Love and remembrance experienced in apparent absence. · Theme in SB 11.31

    In this verse: “lamenting”, “lamentation”, “absence”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What do Dāruka’s tears reveal about Kṛṣṇa’s place in his life?

Practice

Read the verse slowly and reflect for one minute on Dāruka’s attachment to Lord Kṛṣṇa.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDāruka’s Tears of SeparationThis 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 11.31.15? Get an answer from the verses themselves.