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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
11.10.3311.10.35

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.10.34

Āśraya· The supreme shelter
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

काल आत्मागमो लोक: स्वभावो धर्म एव च ।

इति मां बहुधा प्राहुर्गुणव्यतिकरे सति ॥ ३४ ॥

kāla ātmāgamo lokaḥ

svabhāvo dharma eva ca

iti māṁ bahudhā prāhur

guṇa-vyatikare sati

Translation

When there is agitation and interaction of the material modes of nature, the living entities then describe Me in various ways such as all-powerful time, the Self, Vedic knowledge, the universe, one’s own nature, religious ceremonies and so on.

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.

Nothing Is Independent of the Lord

  1. 1

    Ordinary people glimpse the Lord’s potencies in time, knowledge, the universe and the natures of living beings. Without knowing the Personality of Godhead, they describe Him through these manifestations.

  2. 2

    The Lord controls all material qualities, is complete and perfect, and personifies all knowledge. He fully controls His own destiny and maintains everyone.

  3. 3

    Imagining anything to be independent of the Lord keeps one in māyā, with fear and lamentation. Worshiping Him and remaining humble and obedient, even when liberated, brings supreme spiritual happiness.

Key points from the purport
  • Therefore, one should never think that anything is independent of the Personality of Godhead.
  • As soon as one considers anything to be independent of the Lord, one is immediately gripped by the Lord’s illusory network, called māyā.
  • One should always remain humble and obedient to the Personality of Godhead, even when one is liberated, and thus one will achieve the supreme spiritual happiness.

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. kālaḥtime
  2. ātmāthe self
  3. āgamaḥVedic knowledge
  4. lokaḥthe universe
  5. svabhāvaḥdifferent natures of different living entities
  6. dharmaḥreligious principles
  7. evacertainly
  8. caalso
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Āśraya · The summum bonum

    Who is the shelter of everything? · Subject 10 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”, “māyā”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “knowledge”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 11.10

    In this verse: “religious”

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 can remembering the Lord as everyone’s maintainer deepen my humility?

Practice

During worship today, take a moment to acknowledge the Lord as your maintainer and express your wish to remain humble and obedient.

Live this todayNothing Is Independent of the LordThis 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 11.10.34? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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