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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 6: The Yadu Dynasty Retires to Prabhāsa
11.6.2211.6.24

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.6.23

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Brahmāsince 11.6.21inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

अवतीर्य यदोर्वंशे बिभ्रद् रूपमनुत्तमम् ।

कर्माण्युद्दामवृत्तानि हिताय जगतोऽकृथा: ॥ २३ ॥

avatīrya yador vaṁśe

bibhrad rūpam anuttamam

karmāṇy uddāma-vṛttāni

hitāya jagato ’kṛthāḥ

Translation

Descending into the dynasty of King Yadu, You have manifested Your unique transcendental form, and for the benefit of the entire universe You have executed magnanimous transcendental activities.

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.

The Lord Acts for Everyone’s Benefit

  1. 1

    The Lord descended into the dynasty of King Yadu.

  2. 2

    He manifested His unique transcendental form.

  3. 3

    His magnanimous transcendental activities were performed for the benefit of the entire universe.

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 6: The Yadu Dynasty Retires to Prabhāsa

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

By incarnating within the Yadu dynasty, Kṛṣṇa performed the highest welfare work for the entire universe by displaying His transcendental pastimes. Simply by hearing and chanting about these pastimes, pious persons in Kali-yuga can definitely cross over the ocean of material illusion.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.6
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. avatīryadescending
  2. yadoḥof King Yadu
  3. vaṁśeinto the dynasty
  4. bibhratbearing
  5. rūpama transcendental form
  6. anuttamamunexcelled
  7. karmāṇiactivities
  8. uddāma-vṛttānicomprised of magnanimous deeds
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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 11.6

    In this verse: “king”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does remembering the Lord’s concern for the entire universe deepen my appreciation of Him?

Practice

Read the translation slowly and offer a short prayer of gratitude for the Lord’s beneficial activities.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord Acts for Everyone’s BenefitThis 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 11.6.23? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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