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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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Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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
11.10.111.10.3

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.10.2

Ūti· What drives us to act
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

अन्वीक्षेत विशुद्धात्मा देहिनां विषयात्मनाम् ।

गुणेषु तत्त्वध्यानेन सर्वारम्भविपर्ययम् ॥ २ ॥

anvīkṣeta viśuddhātmā

dehināṁ viṣayātmanām

guṇeṣu tattva-dhyānena

sarvārambha-viparyayam

Translation

A purified soul should see that because the conditioned souls who are dedicated to sense gratification have falsely accepted the objects of sense pleasure as truth, all of their endeavors are doomed to failure.

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.

See the Limits of Material Enjoyment

  1. 1

    All material objects of sense pleasure are temporary. Our family, nation and even the body through which we perceive them will eventually disappear.

  2. 2

    Those dedicated to sense gratification falsely accept temporary objects as lasting truth. Their endeavors for material enjoyment therefore end in frustration and suffering.

  3. 3

    By executing the regulative duties of devotional service, one becomes purified. Such a person clearly sees the frustration of material life and becomes free from material desire.

Key points from the purport
  • All material sense objects, including those perceived by their form, taste, flavor, touch or sound, are temporary.
  • Thus, the inevitable result of material enjoyment is viparyaya, or great suffering.
  • They can clearly see the hopeless frustration of material life, and thus they become akāmātmā, or great souls free from material desire.

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 so-called knowledge received through one’s material senses, mind and intelligence is as useless as the dreams experienced by a sleeping person attached to sense gratification. Therefore, one should give up work performed for sense gratification and accept work as a matter of duty.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.10
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. anvīkṣetaone should see
  2. viśuddhapurified
  3. ātmāsoul
  4. dehināmof the embodied beings
  5. viṣaya-ātmanāmof those who are dedicated to sense gratification
  6. guṇeṣuin the material objects of pleasure
  7. tattvaas truth
  8. dhyānenaby conceiving
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 11.10

    In this verse: “sense gratification”, “material”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 11.10

    In this verse: “purified”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 11.10

    In this verse: “devotional service”

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

Which temporary pleasure are you expecting to give you lasting satisfaction?

Practice

When a desire for sense pleasure arises today, pause and reflect that its object is temporary and cannot provide lasting satisfaction.

Live this todaySee the Limits of Material EnjoymentThis 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 11.10.2? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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