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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
11.7.5811.7.60

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.7.59

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The brāhmaṇasince 11.7.32inside 4 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Kṛṣṇa → UddhavaThe avadhūta → King Yadu

तासां पतत्रै: सुस्पर्शै: कूजितैर्मुग्धचेष्टितै: ।

प्रत्युद्गमैरदीनानां पितरौ मुदमापतु: ॥ ६० ॥

prajāḥ pupuṣatuḥ prītau

dampatī putra-vatsalau

śṛṇvantau kūjitaṁ tāsāṁ

nirvṛtau kala-bhāṣitaiḥ

Translation

The two pigeons became most affectionate to their children and took great pleasure in listening to their awkward chirping, which sounded very sweet to the parents. Thus with love they began to raise the little birds who were born of them.

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.

Affection Makes Awkward Chirping Sweet

  1. 1

    The two pigeons became deeply affectionate toward their children.

  2. 2

    The little birds’ awkward chirping sounded very sweet to their parents and gave them great pleasure.

  3. 3

    With love, the parents began to raise the young birds who had been born to them.

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. prajāḥtheir progeny
  2. pupuṣatuḥthey nourished
  3. prītauvery pleased
  4. dam-patīthe couple
  5. putrato their children
  6. vatsalaucompassionate
  7. śṛṇvantaulistening
  8. kūjitamto the chirping
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 11.7

    In this verse: “love”, “sweet”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 11.7

    In this verse: “children”

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 does affection shape what I find pleasing in those I care for?

Practice

Listen patiently to someone you care for today, noticing how affection influences your attention.

5

The story around it

The stories this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayAffection Makes Awkward Chirping SweetThis 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 11.7.59? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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