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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 10: The Nature of Fruitive Activity
11.10.1111.10.13

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.10.12

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Supreme Personality of Godheadsince 11.10.1inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Kṛṣṇa → Uddhava

आचार्योऽरणिराद्य: स्यादन्तेवास्युत्तरारणि: ।

तत्सन्धानं प्रवचनं विद्यासन्धि: सुखावह: ॥ १२ ॥

ācāryo ’raṇir ādyaḥ syād

ante-vāsy uttarāraṇiḥ

tat-sandhānaṁ pravacanaṁ

vidyā-sandhiḥ sukhāvahaḥ

Translation

The spiritual master can be compared to the lower kindling stick, the disciple to the upper kindling stick, and the instruction given by the guru to the third stick placed in between. The transcendental knowledge communicated from guru to disciple is compared to the fire arising from the contact of these, which burns the darkness of ignorance to ashes, bringing great happiness both to guru and disciple.

Read the purport on Vedabase.io

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.

Sincere Contact Kindles Transcendental Knowledge

  1. 1

    The spiritual master and disciple are compared to kindling sticks, connected by the guru’s instruction. Their contact produces transcendental knowledge, like fire that burns ignorance to ashes.

  2. 2

    The spiritual master is Kṛṣṇa’s representative. Bona fide contact between such a spiritual master and a sincere disciple produces the fire of knowledge.

  3. 3

    Taking shelter of the spiritual master’s lotus feet brings perfect knowledge of one’s original spiritual form. With ignorance removed, one can act for one’s true self-interest, bringing happiness to both guru and disciple.

Key points from the purport
  • In this verse the word ādyaḥ means “original,” and it indicates the spiritual master, who is compared to the sacred kindling stick held below.
  • From the spiritual master transcendental knowledge, like fire, is spread to the disciple.
  • When the disciple takes shelter of the lotus feet of the spiritual master, he automatically acquires perfect knowledge of his original, spiritual form.

The purport's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

How it feels

Uncertainty → Clarity. The coming separation makes the instruction personally urgent.

Chapters 10–20 of Canto 11: Kṛṣṇa's teachings on self, yoga and wisdom. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 10: The Nature of Fruitive Activity

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

The servant of the spiritual master should have very firm affection for his guru, should be anxious to receive from him knowledge of the Absolute Truth, and should be devoid of envy and the tendency to talk nonsense. The soul is distinct from the gross and subtle material bodies.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.10
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. ācāryaḥthe spiritual master
  2. araṇiḥsacred kindling wood used in the sacrificial fire
  3. ādyaḥheld beneath
  4. syātis to be considered
  5. ante-vāsīthe disciple
  6. uttaraat the top
  7. araṇiḥkindling wood
  8. tat-sandhānamthe stick in the middle, which connects the upper and lower wood
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 11.10

    In this verse: “knowledge”

  • Śaraṇāgati · Wholehearted surrender

    Relinquishing ownership while entrusting oneself to the Lord. · Theme in SB 11.10

    In this verse: “shelter”

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 sincerely do I receive instruction meant to remove my ignorance?

Practice

Read this teaching attentively today and write down one instruction you can sincerely apply.

Live this todaySincere Contact Kindles Transcendental KnowledgeThis 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 11.10.12? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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