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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
11.10.2111.10.23

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.10.22

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

अन्तरायैरविहितो यदि धर्म: स्वनुष्ठित: ।

तेनापि निर्जितं स्थानं यथा गच्छति तच्छृणु ॥ २२ ॥

antarāyair avihito

yadi dharmaḥ sv-anuṣṭhitaḥ

tenāpi nirjitaṁ sthānaṁ

yathā gacchati tac chṛṇu

Translation

If one performs Vedic sacrifices and fruitive rituals without any mistake or contamination, one will achieve a heavenly situation in the next life. But even this result, which is only achieved by perfect performance of fruitive rituals, will be vanquished by time. Now hear of this.

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.

Even Perfect Rituals Give Temporary Results

  1. 1

    Perfectly performed Vedic sacrifices and fruitive rituals can bring a heavenly situation in the next life.

  2. 2

    Even these carefully earned results disappear with time. All material experiences, pleasant or unpleasant, come and go.

  3. 3

    Every material situation, from the worst to the best, is imperfect. Therefore one should strive only for pure Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

Key points from the purport
  • Therefore the word gacchati refers to the disappearance of the results of even the most meticulously performed fruitive sacrifices.
  • Any material situation, from the worst to the best, is imperfect.
  • Thus one should strive only for pure Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

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 pleasures of heaven and other destinations, which are achieved by sacrificial rituals, can be experienced for only a short time. After one’s enjoyment is finished, one must return to this mortal sphere to partake of lamentation and suffering.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.10
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. antarāyaiḥby obstacles and discrepancies
  2. avihitaḥnot affected
  3. yadiif
  4. dharmaḥone’s execution of regulated duties according to Vedic injunctions
  5. sv-anuṣṭhitaḥexcellently performed
  6. tenaby that
  7. apieven
  8. nirjitamaccomplished
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

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

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

    In this verse: “contamination”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

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

Am I seeking a better temporary situation, or making pure Kṛṣṇa consciousness my goal?

Practice

Before one devotional activity today, consciously set aside the wish for a material reward.

Live this todayEven Perfect Rituals Give Temporary ResultsThis 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 11.10.22? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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