Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 11

Bhakti as the Easy and Supreme Yoga: Seeing Kṛṣṇa in All and Uddhava’s Departure to Badarikāśrama

Devanagari script

पृथक् सत्रेण वा मह्यं पर्वयात्रामहोत्सवान् । कारयेद् गीतनृत्याद्यैर्महाराजविभूतिभि: ॥ ११ ॥

Transliteration

pṛthak satreṇa vā mahyaṁ parva-yātrā-mahotsavān kārayed gīta-nṛtyādyair mahārāja-vibhūtibhiḥ

Translation

Either alone or in public gatherings, with singing, dancing, and displays of royal opulence, one should arrange celebrations of the holy days, ceremonies, pilgrimages, and festivals set aside for My worship.

Synonyms

• pṛthak: separately/individually
• pṛthak: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: pṛthak (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (क्रियाविशेषण अव्यय)

• satreṇa: by a sacrificial session/rite
• satreṇa: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: satra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• vā: or
• vā: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vā (अव्यय)
• Form: Disjunctive particle (विकल्पबोधक अव्यय)

• mahyam: to me
• mahyam: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Dative (4th/चतुर्थी), Singular (एकवचन); pronoun form

• parva-yātrā-mahotsavān: festival-days, pilgrimages, and great celebrations
• parva-yātrā-mahotsavān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: parva (प्रातिपदिक) + yātrā (प्रातिपदिक) + mahotsava (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural (बहुवचन); समाहार/इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व sense: festivals such as parva, yātrā, mahotsava

• kārayet: should cause to be done/arrange
• kārayet: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kṛ (धातु) + ṇic (णिच् causative)
• Form: Causative (णिजन्त), Optative/विधिलिङ्, Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद), 3rd Person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन)

• gīta-nṛtya-ādyaiḥ: with singing, dancing, etc.
• gīta-nṛtya-ādyaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gīta (प्रातिपदिक) + nṛtya (प्रातिपदिक) + ādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural (बहुवचन); ādi-tatpurusha: 'beginning with song and dance'

• mahā-rāja-vibhūtibhiḥ: with royal opulences/splendors
• mahā-rāja-vibhūtibhiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + rāja (प्रातिपदिक) + vibhūti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural (बहुवचन); compound: mahārāja (कर्मधारय: great king) + vibhūtibhiḥ (royal opulences)

Characters & Entities

• Sri Krishna
• Uddhava

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about celebrating festivals for Krishna?

This verse instructs devotees to arrange the Lord’s festival days and sacred celebrations—individually or publicly—worshiping Him with singing, dancing, and fitting offerings.

Why did Krishna say this to Uddhava in Canto 11?

In His final teachings (Uddhava Gītā), Krishna explains practical forms of bhakti; here He highlights devotional festivals, pilgrimages, and congregational glorification as powerful, joyous worship.

How can I apply this teaching in modern life?

Observe Janmāṣṭamī and other Vaishnava festivals, join or organize kīrtana, support temple celebrations, and participate in pilgrimages or local processions with sincere devotion.