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Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

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Canto 7 · The Science of God · 15 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 7 · Chapter 11: The Perfect Society: Four Social Classes
7.10.707.11.2

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 7.11.1

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 7.11.1inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitNārada Muni → Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira

श्रीशुक उवाच

श्रुत्वेहितं साधु सभासभाजितं

महत्तमाग्रण्य उरुक्रमात्मन: ।

युधिष्ठिरो दैत्यपतेर्मुदान्वित:

पप्रच्छ भूयस्तनयं स्वयम्भुव: ॥ १ ॥

śrī-śuka uvāca

śrutvehitaṁ sādhu sabhā-sabhājitaṁ

mahattamāgraṇya urukramātmanaḥ

yudhiṣṭhiro daitya-pater mudānvitaḥ

papraccha bhūyas tanayaṁ svayambhuvaḥ

Translation

Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: After hearing about the activities and character of Prahlāda Mahārāja, which are adored and discussed among great personalities like Lord Brahmā and Lord Śiva, Yudhiṣṭhira Mahārāja, the most respectful king among exalted personalities, again inquired from the great saint Nārada Muni in a mood of great pleasure.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Hear With Joy and Inquire Respectfully

  1. 1

    The activities and character of Prahlāda Mahārāja are adored and discussed by great personalities like Lord Brahmā and Lord Śiva.

  2. 2

    Yudhiṣṭhira Mahārāja heard about Prahlāda Mahārāja with great pleasure.

  3. 3

    Though himself an exalted and respectful king, Yudhiṣṭhira Mahārāja again inquired from the great saint Nārada Muni.

How it feels

Seriousness → Principled living. The example of bhakti becomes a guide to daily life.

Chapters 11–15 of Canto 7: Teachings on social and spiritual conduct. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 11: The Perfect Society: Four Social Classes

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

By hearing about the characteristics of Prahlāda Mahārāja, Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira became extremely pleased. Now he inquired from Nārada Muni about the actual religion of a human being and about special characteristics of varṇāśrama-dharma, which marks the highest status of human civilization.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 7.11
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śrī-śukaḥ uvācaŚrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said
  2. śrutvāhearing
  3. īhitamthe narration
  4. sādhu sabhā-sabhājitamwhich is discussed in assemblies of great devotees like Lord Brahmā and Lord Śiva
  5. mahat-tama-agraṇyaḥthe best of the saintly persons (Yudhiṣṭhira)
  6. urukrama-ātmanaḥof he (Prahlāda Mahārāja) whose mind is always engaged upon the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who always acts uncommonly
  7. yudhiṣṭhiraḥKing Yudhiṣṭhira
  8. daitya-pateḥof the master of the demons
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 7.11

    In this verse: “hearing”, “heard”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 7.11

    In this verse: “king”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 7.11

    In this verse: “inquired”

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 can I bring more respect and joy to hearing about exalted devotees?

Practice

Reread this translation slowly and write down one respectful question it inspires.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHear With Joy and Inquire RespectfullyThis 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 7.11.1? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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