Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 21

Nārada’s Arrival, the Nine Yogendras, and the Foundations of Bhāgavata-dharma

Devanagari script

नवाभवन् महाभागा मुनयो ह्यर्थशंसिन: । श्रमणा वातरसना आत्मविद्याविशारदा: ॥ २० ॥ कविर्हविरन्तरीक्ष: प्रबुद्ध: पिप्पलायन: । आविर्होत्रोऽथ द्रुमिलश्चमस: करभाजन: ॥ २१ ॥

Transliteration

navābhavan mahā-bhāgā munayo hy artha-śaṁsinaḥ śramaṇā vāta-rasanā ātma-vidyā-viśāradāḥ

Translation

باقی نو بیٹے نہایت بخت آور مُنی تھے—پرمار্থ کے مبلغ، شرمن، دِگمبر اور آتما-وِدیا میں ماہر۔ ان کے نام تھے: کَوی، ہَوی، اَنتَریکش، پربُدھ، پِپّلاَیَن، آوِرہوتر، دُرمیل، چَمَس اور کَرَبھاجَن۔

Synonyms

• कविः: Kavi (name)
• कविः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject; list item)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कवि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन (Singular); नाम (proper name)

• हविः: Havi (name)
• हविः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject; list item)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हविस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन (Singular); नाम (proper name)

• अन्तरीक्षः: Antarīkṣa (name)
• अन्तरीक्षः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject; list item)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्तरीक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन (Singular); नाम (proper name)

• प्रबुद्धः: Prabuddha (name)
• प्रबुद्धः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject; list item)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रबुद्ध (प्रातिपदिक; √बुध्-क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past participle used as name)

• पिप्पलायनः: Pippalāyana (name)
• पिप्पलायनः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject; list item)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पिप्पलायन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; नाम (proper name)

• आविर्होत्रः: Āvirhotra (name)
• आविर्होत्रः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject; list item)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आविर्-होत्र (प्रातिपदिक; आविस्/आविर् + होत्र)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (आविः/प्रकटः होत्रः)

• अथ: then, and
• अथ: सम्बन्धसूचक (Discourse connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अनुक्रम/समुच्चयार्थक-निपात (sequencing particle)

• द्रुमिलः: Drumila (name)
• द्रुमिलः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject; list item)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्रुमिल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; नाम (proper name)

• चमसः: Camasa (name)
• चमसः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject; list item)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चमस (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; नाम (proper name)

• करभाजनः: Karabhājana (name)
• करभाजनः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject; list item)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर-भाजन (प्रातिपदिक; कर + भाजन)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (करस्य भाजनम्/भाजनः)

Purport

Nimi, the King of Videha, asked the following nine questions of the nine Yogendras, the saintly sons of Ṛṣabha. (1) What is the highest good? (Chapter Two, verse 30); (2) What are the religious principles ( dharma ), natural proclivities ( svabhāva ), behavior ( ācāra ), speech ( vākya ) and outward symptoms ( lakṣaṇa ) of a bhāgavata, a Vaiṣṇava devotee of the Lord? (2.44); (3) What is the external energy of Viṣṇu, the Supreme Lord? (3.1); (4) How can one become dissociated from this māyā ? (3.17); (5)What is the true identity of Brahman? (3.34); (6) What are the three types of karma, namely karma based on the enjoyment of the fruits of work, karma offered to the Supreme Lord, and naiṣkarmya ? (3.41); (7) What are the various pastimes of the various incarnations of God? (4.1); (8) What is the aim or destination of one who is against the Supreme Lord and devoid of bhakti (in other words, a nondevotee)? (5.1); and (9)What are the respective colors, forms and names of the four yugāvatāras, the four incarnations of the Supreme Lord who appear in the four ages, and what is the process of worshiping each of Them? (5.19).

Characters & Entities

• Nine Yogendras

FAQs

Who are the Nine Yogendras in Srimad Bhagavatam 11.2?

They are nine exalted sages renowned for renunciation and mastery of ātma-vidyā (self-knowledge), who appear in Canto 11 to instruct about the highest spiritual good.

What does the Bhagavatam mean by vātaraśanāḥ (clad by the wind)?

It indicates extreme detachment—sages who live without conventional clothing or possessions, emphasizing freedom from bodily identification and material dependence.

Practical application of ātma-vidyā (self-knowledge) in modern life?

Cultivate steady identity beyond the body and roles—through sādhana, study, and devotion—so decisions are guided by lasting spiritual benefit rather than temporary impulses.