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

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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.31.26

Who is speaking and story frame

श्रुत्वा सुहृद्वधं राजन्नर्जुनात्ते पितामहा: ।

त्वां तु वंशधरं कृत्वा जग्मु: सर्वे महापथम् ॥ २६ ॥

śrutvā suhṛd-vadhaṁ rājann

arjunāt te pitāmahāḥ

tvāṁ tu vaṁśa-dharaṁ kṛtvā

jagmuḥ sarve mahā-patham

Translation

Hearing from Arjuna of the death of their friend, my dear King, your grandfathers established you as the maintainer of the dynasty and left to prepare for their departure from this world.

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.

Responsibility Before Departure

  1. 1

    The King’s grandfathers heard from Arjuna of the death of their friend.

  2. 2

    They established the King as the maintainer of the dynasty before leaving.

  3. 3

    They then left to prepare for their departure from this world.

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:

Arjuna took the remaining members of the Yadu dynasty to Indraprastha, where he installed Vajra upon the throne. Hearing of these events, the Pāṇḍavas, led by Yudhiṣṭhira, placed Parīkṣit upon their throne and left for the great journey.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.31
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śrutvāhearing
  2. suhṛtof their friend
  3. vadhamthe death
  4. rājanO King
  5. arjunātfrom Arjuna
  6. teyour
  7. pitāmahāḥgrandfathers (Yudhiṣṭhira and his brothers)
  8. tvāmyou
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

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 11.31

    In this verse: “hearing”, “heard”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 11.31

    In this verse: “king”, “king’s”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 11.31

    In this verse: “death”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What responsibility would you need to arrange carefully before stepping away from it?

Practice

Write down one responsibility others depend on you for, and one step to ensure it remains cared for.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayResponsibility Before DepartureThis 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 11.31.26? Get an answer from the verses themselves.