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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 7: Lord Kṛṣṇa Instructs Uddhava
11.7.2311.7.25

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.7.24

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Supreme Lordsince 11.7.19inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Kṛṣṇa → Uddhava

अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम् ।

अवधूतस्य संवादं यदोरमिततेजस: ॥ २४ ॥

atrāpy udāharantīmam

itihāsaṁ purātanam

avadhūtasya saṁvādaṁ

yador amita-tejasaḥ

Translation

In this regard, sages cite a historical narration concerning the conversation between the greatly powerful King Yadu and an avadhūta.

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.

Intelligence Leads Toward the Supreme Lord

  1. 1

    Sages cite an ancient historical conversation between the powerful King Yadu and an avadhūta.

  2. 2

    Lord Kṛṣṇa tells this account to show Uddhava how rational intelligence can be used in bhakti-yoga to acquire Vedic knowledge.

  3. 3

    Ultimately, an intelligent person comes to the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Key points from the purport
  • Lord Kṛṣṇa will narrate this story to show Uddhava how rational intelligence can be utilized in bhakti-yoga to acquire Vedic knowledge and how ultimately an intelligent person will come to the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

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

Grief and dependence → Detachment. The temporary world becomes a source of spiritual instruction.

Chapters 7–9 of Canto 11: The avadhuta's twenty-four teachers. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 7: Lord Kṛṣṇa Instructs Uddhava

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

In this regard, Lord Kṛṣṇa began to describe an ancient conversation between a brāhmaṇa avadhūta and the great king Yadu. The son of Yayāti, Mahārāja Yadu, once encountered an avadhūta who was traveling about, here and there, in great transcendental ecstasy and was acting unpredictably, just like someone who has become haunted by a ghost.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.7
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. atra apiin this very matter
  2. udāharantithey cite as example
  3. imamthis
  4. itihāsama historical narration
  5. purātanamancient
  6. avadhūtasyaof a holy man acting outside the scope of ordinary regulative principles
  7. saṁvādamthe conversation
  8. yadoḥand of King Yadu
  9. amita-tejasaḥwhose power was unlimited
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 11.7

    In this verse: “narration”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 11.7

    In this verse: “king”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 11.7

    In this verse: “knowledge”

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 using my understanding to move toward the Supreme Lord?

Practice

Before studying the conversation, set the intention to use what you learn in devotional service.

5

The story around it

The stories this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayIntelligence Leads Toward the Supreme LordThis 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 11.7.24? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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