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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
11.31.2611.31.28

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.31.27

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 11.31.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

य एतद् देवदेवस्य विष्णो: कर्माणि जन्म च ।

कीर्तयेच्छ्रद्धया मर्त्य: सर्वपापै: प्रमुच्यते ॥ २७ ॥

ya etad deva-devasya

viṣṇoḥ karmāṇi janma ca

kīrtayec chraddhayā martyaḥ

sarva-pāpaiḥ pramucyate

Translation

A person who with faith engages in chanting the glories of these various pastimes and incarnations of Viṣṇu, the Lord of lords, will gain liberation from all sins.

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.

Faithful Chanting Frees One from Sin

  1. 1

    The verse invites a person to chant the glories of Viṣṇu, the Lord of lords.

  2. 2

    This chanting concerns His various pastimes and incarnations and is done with faith.

  3. 3

    A person who chants these glories with faith gains liberation from all sins.

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:

Though overcome by feelings of separation from Kṛṣṇa, Arjuna was nevertheless able to pacify himself by remembering all the various instructions given to him by the Lord. Arjuna then carried out the rituals of offering piṇḍa and so on for his dead relatives.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.31
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yaḥwho
  2. etatthese
  3. deva-devasyaof the Lord of lords
  4. viṣṇoḥof Lord Viṣṇu
  5. karmāṇithe activities
  6. janmathe birth
  7. caand
  8. kīrtayetchants
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

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

    In this verse: “chanting”, “chant”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 11.31

    In this verse: “sins”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can you bring greater faith and attention to chanting the Lord’s glories?

Practice

Read aloud one description of the Lord’s pastimes from this chapter, giving it your attentive faith.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayFaithful Chanting Frees One from SinThis 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 11.31.27? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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