Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 28

Nimi Questions the Yogendras: Māyā, Cosmic Dissolution, Guru-Śaraṇāgati, Bhakti, and Deity Worship

Devanagari script

श्रवणं कीर्तनं ध्यानं हरेरद्भ‍ुतकर्मण: । जन्मकर्मगुणानां च तदर्थेऽखिलचेष्टितम् ॥ २७ ॥ इष्टं दत्तं तपो जप्तं वृत्तं यच्चात्मन: प्रियम् । दारान् सुतान् गृहान् प्राणान् यत्परस्मै निवेदनम् ॥ २८ ॥

Transliteration

śravaṇaṁ kīrtanaṁ dhyānaṁ harer adbhuta-karmaṇaḥ janma-karma-guṇānāṁ ca tad-arthe ’khila-ceṣṭitam

Translation

主ハリの驚くべき超越の御業を、聴聞し、讃嘆し、瞑想すべきである。至上人格神の降誕、御遊戯（リーラー）、御徳、そして聖なる御名にとりわけ心を没入させ、日々のあらゆる行為を主への供物として行うべきである。祭祀、施し、苦行、ジャパはただ主を喜ばせるために行い、唱えるべきはバガヴァーンの栄光を讃える真言のみである。自らが好み楽しむものは直ちに至上主に捧げ、妻子、家、そして生命の息吹さえも、至上人格神の蓮華の御足に奉献すべきである。

Synonyms

• śravaṇam: hearing
• śravaṇam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śravaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (1/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); verbal noun/action-noun

• kīrtanam: chanting/glorifying
• kīrtanam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kīrtana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1), Singular; action-noun

• dhyānam: meditation
• dhyānam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dhyāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1), Singular; action-noun

• hareḥ: of Hari
• hareḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hari (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Genitive (6/षष्ठी), Singular; possessive relation

• adbhuta-karmaṇaḥ: of (him) of wondrous deeds
• adbhuta-karmaṇaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: adbhuta (प्रातिपदिक) + karmaṇ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6), Singular; compound qualifying Hari: ‘whose deeds are wondrous’

• janma-karma-guṇānām: of (his) birth, deeds, and qualities
• janma-karma-guṇānām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: janman (प्रातिपदिक) + karman (प्रातिपदिक) + guṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (collective), Genitive (6), Plural (बहुवचन); itaretara-dvandva sense: ‘birth, deeds, and qualities’

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction/particle (समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय)

• tad-arthe: for that purpose / for him
• tad-arthe: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/सप्तमी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + artha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Locative (7/सप्तमी), Singular; ‘for that purpose/for him’ (tad-artha)

• akhila-ceṣṭitam: all (one’s) activity
• akhila-ceṣṭitam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: akhila (प्रातिपदिक) + ceṣṭita (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त-भाव)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1), Singular; ‘all activity/endeavor’

Purport

In Bhagavad-gītā (9.27) Lord Kṛṣṇa has ordered:

Characters & Entities

• Hari

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about hearing and chanting (śravaṇam–kīrtanam)?

This verse presents hearing, chanting, and meditating on Hari—especially His divine deeds, qualities, and pastimes—as core practices of bhakti, and urges that all actions be offered for His purpose.

Why does Śukadeva Gosvāmī emphasize Hari’s ‘wondrous deeds’ here?

Because remembrance becomes steady and affectionate when centered on the Lord’s extraordinary līlās, qualities, and divine activities—making devotion natural and absorbing.

Practical application of śravaṇam and kīrtanam in modern life?

Daily hear authentic Bhagavatam teachings, chant the Lord’s names and glories, and intentionally align work, study, and family duties as offerings meant to please the Lord.