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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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.4.8

Who is speaking and story frame

विज्ञाय शक्रकृतमक्रममादिदेव:

प्राह प्रहस्य गतविस्मय एजमानान् ।

मा भैष्टभो मदन मारुत देववध्वो

गृह्णीत नो बलिमशून्यमिमं कुरुध्वम् ॥ ८ ॥

vijñāya śakra-kṛtam akramam ādi-devaḥ

prāha prahasya gata-vismaya ejamānān

mā bhair vibho madana māruta deva-vadhvo

gṛhṇīta no balim aśūnyam imaṁ kurudhvam

Translation

The primeval Lord, understanding the offense committed by Indra, did not become proud. Instead He spoke laughingly as follows to Cupid and his followers, who were trembling before Him: “Do not fear, O mighty Madana, O wind-god and wives of the demigods. Rather, please accept these gifts I am offering you and kindly sanctify My āśrama by your presence.”

Read the purport on Vedabase.io

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.

Serve Without Pride and Welcome Others

  1. 1

    Penances that make one proud are considered material. One should not think, “I am a great, austere personality.”

  2. 2

    Śrī Nara-Nārāyaṇa understood the offense but reassured the trembling visitors. Instead of cursing them, He offered them prasādam and articles of worship.

  3. 3

    An āśrama is meant for practicing Kṛṣṇa consciousness and encouraging others, not personal sense gratification. Its residents welcome guests to hear about Kṛṣṇa and chant His holy name.

Key points from the purport
  • Śrī Nara-Nārāyaṇa could immediately understand the foolishness of Indra, and thus He was amused by the whole situation.
  • Cupid and the heavenly women, understanding their great offense, were trembling before Nara-Nārāyaṇa in fear of receiving a powerful curse.
  • Thus, one may establish a beautiful āśrama not for one’s personal sense gratification but to execute Kṛṣṇa consciousness peacefully and encourage others to take to Kṛṣṇa consciousness also.

The purport's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

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:

When Cupid (Kandarpa) and his hosts were sent to Badarikāśrama by King Indra, who had become fearful and envious at seeing the austerities of Lord Nara-Nārāyaṇa, that best of sages welcomed Cupid as an honored guest. The pacified Cupid then offered prayers to the Supreme Personality Nara-Nārāyaṇa Ṛṣi.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.4
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. vijñāyaunderstanding perfectly
  2. śakraby Indra
  3. kṛtamcommitted
  4. akramamthe offense
  5. ādi-devaḥthe original Personality of Godhead
  6. prāhaHe spoke
  7. prahasyalaughing
  8. gata-vismayaḥfree from pride
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

  • Dainya · Humility

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

    In this verse: “proud”, “offense”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 11.4

    In this verse: “understanding”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 11.4

    In this verse: “sense gratification”, “material”

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

Does my spiritual practice make me more welcoming or more proud?

Practice

Invite someone to join you briefly in hearing about Kṛṣṇa or chanting His holy name.

5

The story around it

The stories this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayServe Without Pride and Welcome OthersThis 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 11.4.8? Get an answer from the verses themselves.