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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.
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Canto 11 · Chapter 31: The Disappearance of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa
11.31.711.31.9

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.31.8

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

देवादयो ब्रह्ममुख्या न विशन्तं स्वधामनि ।

अविज्ञातगतिं कृष्णं दद‍ृशुश्चातिविस्मिता: ॥ ८ ॥

devādayo brahma-mukhyā

na viśantaṁ sva-dhāmani

avijñāta-gatiṁ kṛṣṇaṁ

dadṛśuś cāti-vismitāḥ

Translation

Most of the demigods and other higher beings led by Brahmā could not see Lord Kṛṣṇa as He was entering His own abode, since He did not reveal His movements. But some of them did catch sight of Him, and they were extremely amazed.

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.

Kṛṣṇa Chooses Whether to Reveal His Movements

  1. 1

    Lord Kṛṣṇa entered His own abode without revealing His movements.

  2. 2

    Most of the demigods and higher beings led by Brahmā could not see Him entering.

  3. 3

    Some did catch sight of Him, and they were extremely amazed.

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. deva-ādayaḥthe demigods and others
  2. brahma-mukhyāḥheaded by Brahmā
  3. nanot
  4. viśantamentering
  5. sva-dhāmaniHis own abode
  6. avijñātaunknown
  7. gatimHis movements
  8. kṛṣṇamLord Kṛṣṇa
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

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can this account help you remain humble about what you understand of Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Pause after reading this verse and acknowledge that Kṛṣṇa’s movements are not always revealed to your understanding.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa Chooses Whether to Reveal His MovementsThis 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.

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