1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 11 · General History · 31 chapters

12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031

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
11.10.1911.10.21

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.10.20

Nirodha· Winding up
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

कोऽन्वर्थ: सुखयत्येनं कामो वा मृत्युरन्तिके ।

आघातं नीयमानस्य वध्यस्येव न तुष्टिद: ॥ २० ॥

ko ’nv arthaḥ sukhayaty enaṁ

kāmo vā mṛtyur antike

āghātaṁ nīyamānasya

vadhyasyeva na tuṣṭi-daḥ

Translation

Death is not at all pleasing, and since everyone is exactly like a condemned man being led to the place of execution, what possible happiness can people derive from material objects or the gratification they provide?

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.

Let Mortality Strengthen Spiritual Determination

  1. 1

    A condemned person cannot truly enjoy a sumptuous last meal because it reminds him of approaching death.

  2. 2

    Similarly, material objects and sense gratification cannot give secure satisfaction when death may strike at any moment.

  3. 3

    Knowledge of the inevitability of death should encourage determination in spiritual life.

Key points from the purport
  • For the condemned man, however, such a feast is a chilling reminder of his imminent death, and therefore he cannot enjoy it.
  • Similarly, no sane human being can be satisfied in material life, because death is standing near and may strike at any moment.
  • Knowledge of the inevitability of death should encourage one to become determined in spiritual life.

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 spirit soul who has entered into the material body accepts bodily functions according to the reactions of his own past activities. Therefore, only the bona fide, transcendental spiritual master is capable of demonstrating pure knowledge of the self.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.10
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. kaḥwhat
  2. nucertainly
  3. arthaḥmaterial object
  4. sukhayatigives happiness
  5. enamto a person
  6. kāmaḥsense gratification derived from material things
  7. vāor
  8. mṛtyuḥdeath
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Nirodha · Returning home, back to Godhead

    What happens when everything here comes to an end? · Subject 8 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

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

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 11.10

    In this verse: “death”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “knowledge”

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 could remembering that life is temporary strengthen my spiritual priorities?

Practice

Give a few minutes today to spiritual practice rather than postponing it for material entertainment.

Live this todayLet Mortality Strengthen Spiritual DeterminationThis 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 11.10.20? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories