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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.
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Canto 11 · Chapter 11: The Symptoms of Conditioned and Liberated Living Entities
11.11.1911.11.21

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.11.20

यस्यां न मे पावनमङ्ग कर्म

स्थित्युद्भ‍वप्राणनिरोधमस्य ।

लीलावतारेप्सितजन्म वा स्याद्

वन्ध्यां गिरं तां बिभृयान्न धीर: ॥ २० ॥

yasyāṁ na me pāvanam aṅga karma

sthity-udbhava-prāṇa-nirodham asya

līlāvatārepsita-janma vā syād

vandhyāṁ giraṁ tāṁ bibhṛyān na dhīraḥ

Translation

My dear Uddhava, an intelligent person should never take to literatures that do not contain descriptions of My activities, which purify the whole universe. Indeed, I create, maintain and annihilate the entire material manifestation. Among all My pastime incarnations, the most beloved are Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma. Any so-called knowledge that does not recognize these activities of Mine is simply barren and is not acceptable to those who are actually intelligent.

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.

Choose Reading That Glorifies the Lord

  1. 1

    The Lord’s activities purify the whole universe, and He creates, maintains and annihilates the material manifestation. Knowledge that neglects His activities is described as barren.

  2. 2

    Among the Lord’s pastime incarnations, Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma are most beloved. Lord Kṛṣṇa is the original source of the forms of Viṣṇu, and His pastimes are the reservoir of loving exchanges with the Absolute Truth.

  3. 3

    Pure devotees give their attention to literature that glorifies the Supreme Personality of Godhead and His pastimes. Even Vedic literature that neglects Him should be set aside.

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