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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
11.4.811.4.10

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.4.9

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
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

इत्थं ब्रुवत्यभयदे नरदेव देवा:

सव्रीडनम्रशिरस: सघृणं तमूचु: ।

नैतद् विभो त्वयि परेऽविकृते विचित्रं

स्वारामधीरनिकरानतपादपद्मे ॥ ९ ॥

itthaṁ bruvaty abhaya-de nara-deva devāḥ

sa-vrīḍa-namra-śirasaḥ sa-ghṛṇaṁ tam ūcuḥ

naitad vibho tvayi pare ’vikṛte vicitraṁ

svārāma-dhīra-nikarānata-pāda-padme

Translation

My dear King Nimi, when Nara-Nārāyaṇa Ṛṣi thus spoke, eradicating the fear of the demigods, they bowed their heads with shame and addressed the Lord as follows, to invoke His compassion: Our dear Lord, You are always transcendental, beyond the reach of illusion, and therefore You are forever changeless. Your causeless compassion toward us, despite our great offense, is not at all unusual in You, since innumerable great sages who are self-satisfied and free from anger and false pride bow down humbly at Your lotus feet.

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.

The Lord’s Compassion Is Beyond Material Faults

  1. 1

    The Lord is always transcendental, beyond illusion and forever changeless. Material pride and anger do not disturb Him.

  2. 2

    The demigods bowed their heads in shame and begged for compassion. They acknowledged that their own faults had kept them from appreciating His glories.

  3. 3

    The Lord’s causeless compassion toward offenders is not unusual for Him. Even self-satisfied sages, free from anger and false pride, bow humbly at His lotus feet.

Key points from the purport
  • The demigods said, “Our dear Lord, although ordinary living entities such as the demigods and ordinary men are always disturbed by material pride and anger, You are always transcendental.
  • Therefore it is not surprising that we fallible demigods could not appreciate Your glories.”

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. itthamin this way
  2. bruvatiwhen He had spoken
  3. abhaya-dethe giver of fearlessness
  4. nara-devaO King (Nimi)
  5. devāḥthe demigods (Cupid and his associates)
  6. sa-vrīḍaout of shame
  7. namrabowed
  8. śirasaḥwith their heads
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Dainya · Humility

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

    In this verse: “pride”, “offense”, “offenders”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “illusion”, “material”

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 11.4

    In this verse: “free from”

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

How might pride or anger keep me from appreciating the Lord’s glories?

Practice

Offer a brief, humble prayer acknowledging one fault and asking for the Lord’s compassion.

5

The story around it

The stories this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord’s Compassion Is Beyond Material FaultsThis 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 11.4.9? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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