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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 4: Drumila Explains the Incarnations of Godhead to King Nimi
11.4.1511.4.17

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.4.16

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śrī Drumilasince 11.4.2inside 4 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitNārada Muni → VasudevaThe nine Yogendras → King Nimi

इन्द्रायानम्य सदसि श‍ृण्वतां त्रिदिवौकसाम् ।

ऊचुर्नारायणबलं शक्रस्तत्रास विस्मित: ॥ १६ ॥

indrāyānamya sadasi

śṛṇvatāṁ tri-divaukasām

ūcur nārāyaṇa-balaṁ

śakras tatrāsa vismitaḥ

Translation

The servants of the demigods reached the assembly of Indra, and thus, while all the residents of the three heavens listened, they explained to Indra the supreme power of Nārāyaṇa. When Indra heard of Nara-Nārāyaṇa Ṛṣi and became aware of his offense, he was both frightened and astonished.

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.

Hearing the Lord’s Power Reveals Indra’s Offense

  1. 1

    The servants of the demigods returned to Indra’s assembly. All the residents of the three heavens listened to their report.

  2. 2

    They explained to Indra the supreme power of Nārāyaṇa.

  3. 3

    On hearing about Nara-Nārāyaṇa Ṛṣi, Indra became aware of his offense. He was both frightened and astonished.

How it feels

Foreboding → Devotional urgency. Uddhava realizes that Kṛṣṇa's visible association is nearing an end.

Chapters 1–6 of Canto 11: The Yadu curse, the nine Yogendras and farewell signs. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 4: Drumila Explains the Incarnations of Godhead to King Nimi

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

The Lord delivered the Vālakhilyas, who had been trapped in the water in a cow’s hoofprint, He delivered Indra from the reaction for murdering a brāhmaṇa, and He delivered the wives of the demigods from imprisonment in the palaces of the demoniac asuras. In the avatāra of Nṛsiṁha, He killed Hiraṇyakaśipu.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.4
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. indrāyato Lord Indra
  2. ānamyabowing down
  3. sadasiin his assembly
  4. śṛṇvatāmwhile they were listening
  5. tri-divathe three heavens
  6. okasāmwhose residents
  7. ūcuḥthey told
  8. nārāyaṇa-balamabout the strength of Lord Nārāyaṇa
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

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 11.4

    In this verse: “heard”, “hearing”

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 11.4

    In this verse: “offense”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Am I willing to recognize my own wrongdoing when hearing about the Lord’s greatness?

Practice

Reread the account of Indra’s response and quietly acknowledge one mistake you need to face honestly.

5

The story around it

The stories this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHearing the Lord’s Power Reveals Indra’s OffenseThis 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 11.4.16? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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