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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 12: Beyond Renunciation and Knowledge
11.12.14-1511.12.17

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.12.16

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Uddhavasince 11.12.16inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Kṛṣṇa → Uddhava

श्रीउद्धव उवाच

संशय: श‍ृण्वतो वाचं तव योगेश्वरेश्वर ।

न निवर्तत आत्मस्थो येन भ्राम्यति मे मन: ॥ १६ ॥

śrī-uddhava uvāca

saṁśayaḥ śṛṇvato vācaṁ

tava yogeśvareśvara

na nivartata ātma-stho

yena bhrāmyati me manaḥ

Translation

Śrī Uddhava said: O Lord of all masters of mystic power, I have heard Your words, but the doubt in my heart does not go away; thus my mind is bewildered.

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.

Speak Honestly About Spiritual Doubt

  1. 1

    Uddhava has heard Kṛṣṇa’s instructions, yet doubt remains in his heart. By openly disclosing his bewilderment, he reveals his intimate friendship with the Lord.

  2. 2

    Instructions about worldly duties, philosophical knowledge and surrender leave Uddhava uncertain about what he should actually do. He wants Kṛṣṇa to explain the practical course in simple terms.

  3. 3

    The instructions ultimately lead to the single goal of Lord Kṛṣṇa Himself. Philosophical speculation cannot be perfected without devotional service, whose development and perfection depend on association with devotees.

Key points from the purport
  • In the first verse of the Tenth Chapter of this canto, the Lord stated that one should take shelter of Him and execute one’s duties within the varṇāśrama system without material desire.
  • In Chapter Eleven, verse 18, the Lord emphasized the importance of faith in the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and in verse 23 Kṛṣṇa extensively widened His discussion of devotional service, emphasizing that one should be faithful and hear and chant the glories of the Lord.
  • And in verse 48 Lord Kṛṣṇa stated that unless one takes to the process of devotional service, one’s attempt for liberation will be useless.

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 12: Beyond Renunciation and Knowledge

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Yet by the power of their constant association with Śrī Kṛṣṇa, they attained to the supreme Absolute Truth, which even great demigods like Brahmā cannot achieve. The young women of Vṛndāvana displayed such deep attachment to Lord Kṛṣṇa that their minds, which were overflowing with the ecstasy of being with Him, perceived an entire night spent in His company as just a fraction of a second.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.12
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śrī-uddhavaḥ uvācaŚrī Uddhava said
  2. saṁśayaḥdoubt
  3. śṛṇvataḥof the one who is hearing
  4. vācamthe words
  5. tavaYour
  6. yoga-īśvaraof the lords of mystic power
  7. īśvaraYou who are the Lord
  8. na nivartatewill not go away
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Īśānukathā · The science of God

    Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 of 10

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 11.12

    In this verse: “devotional service”, “devotees”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 11.12

    In this verse: “knowledge”, “philosophical”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 11.12

    In this verse: “heard”

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

What spiritual doubt would I like to express honestly so that I can better understand how to serve Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Write down one sincere question about devotional service to discuss with a devotee.

Live this todaySpeak Honestly About Spiritual DoubtThis 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.

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