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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 5: Nārada Concludes His Teachings to Vasudeva
11.5.5011.5.52

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.5.51

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 11.5.51inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

श्रीशुक उवाच

एतच्छ्रुत्वा महाभागो वसुदेवोऽतिविस्मित: ।

देवकी च महाभागा जहतुर्मोहमात्मन: ॥ ५१ ॥

śrī-śuka uvāca

etac chrutvā mahā-bhāgo

vasudevo ’ti-vismitaḥ

devakī ca mahā-bhāgā

jahatur moham ātmanaḥ

Translation

Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: Having heard this narration, the greatly fortunate Vasudeva was completely struck with wonder. Thus he and his most blessed wife Devakī gave up all illusion and anxiety that had entered their hearts.

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 Dispels Illusion and Anxiety

  1. 1

    The greatly fortunate Vasudeva heard this narration and was completely struck with wonder.

  2. 2

    His most blessed wife Devakī also shared in its result. Both gave up the illusion and anxiety that had entered their hearts.

  3. 3

    The verse shows the effect of hearing these teachings: wonder arose, and confusion and anxiety were left behind.

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 5: Nārada Concludes His Teachings to Vasudeva

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Videharāja Nimi, having heard elaborate descriptions of bhāgavata-dharma from the mouths of the nava-yogendras, offered worship to them with a satisfied mind. They then disappeared.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.5
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śrī-śukaḥ uvācaŚrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said
  2. etatthis
  3. śrutvāhaving heard
  4. mahā-bhāgaḥthe greatly fortunate
  5. vasudevaḥKing Vasudeva
  6. ati-vismitaḥextremely amazed
  7. devakīmother Devakī
  8. caand
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 11.5

    In this verse: “heard”, “narration”, “hearing”

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 11.5

    In this verse: “gave up”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 11.5

    In this verse: “illusion”

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

What in this narration invites me to listen with greater openness and wonder?

Practice

Reread a short passage from this narration today, then pause quietly to consider what you have heard.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHearing Dispels Illusion and AnxietyThis 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 11.5.51? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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