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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· six steps
  1. 1Chant the verseSay the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
  2. 2Read the word meaningsGo through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
  3. 3Find the meaning yourselfBefore the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
  4. 4Read the translationAsk: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
  5. 5Read the purport slowlyRead it two or three times. Don't rush.
  6. 6Write down what touched youNote the main points in your own notebook.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›
Canto 11 · Chapter 11: The Symptoms of Conditioned and Liberated Living Entities
11.11.1811.11.20

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.11.19

गां दुग्धदोहामसतीं च भार्यां

देहं पराधीनमसत्प्रजां च ।

वित्तं त्वतीर्थीकृतमङ्ग वाचं

हीनां मया रक्षति दु:खदु:खी ॥ १९ ॥

gāṁ dugdha-dohām asatīṁ ca bhāryāṁ

dehaṁ parādhīnam asat-prajāṁ ca

vittaṁ tv atīrthī-kṛtam aṅga vācaṁ

hīnāṁ mayā rakṣati duḥkha-duḥkhī

Translation

My dear Uddhava, that man is certainly most miserable who takes care of a cow that gives no milk, an unchaste wife, a body totally dependent on others, useless children or wealth not utilized for the right purpose. Similarly, one who studies Vedic knowledge devoid of My glories is also most miserable.

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.

Give Speech and Study Their Devotional Purpose

  1. 1

    A truly learned person understands that all material objects are expansions of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Nothing exists without His support.

  2. 2

    Speech and the other senses are useless unless engaged in glorifying the Lord. Control of the tongue requires speaking or chanting His glories.

  3. 3

    Vedic knowledge is meant to bring us to the lotus feet of Śrī Kṛṣṇa. Reading it as glorification of Him, the ultimate cause of all causes, leads toward devotional service rather than dry speculation.

Study points are short summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport on Vedabase.