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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 13: The Haṁsa-avatāra Answers the Questions of the Sons of Brahmā
11.13.1111.13.13

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.13.12

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Supreme Personality of Godheadsince 11.13.9-10inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Kṛṣṇa → Uddhava

रजस्तमोभ्यां यदपि विद्वान् विक्षिप्तधी: पुन: ।

अतन्द्रितो मनो युञ्जन् दोषद‍ृष्टिर्न सज्जते ॥ १२ ॥

rajas-tamobhyāṁ yad api

vidvān vikṣipta-dhīḥ punaḥ

atandrito mano yuñjan

doṣa-dṛṣṭir na sajjate

Translation

Although the intelligence of a learned person may be bewildered by the modes of passion and ignorance, he should again carefully bring the mind under control. By clearly seeing the contamination of the modes of nature, he does not become attached.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

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.

Carefully Bring the Mind Back

  1. 1

    Even a learned person's intelligence may be bewildered by the modes of passion and ignorance.

  2. 2

    When this happens, one should carefully bring the mind under control again.

  3. 3

    Clearly seeing the contamination of the modes of nature helps one avoid attachment.

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 13: The Haṁsa-avatāra Answers the Questions of the Sons of Brahmā

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

The three modes — goodness, passion and ignorance — are related to material intelligence, not to the soul. One should conquer the lower modes of passion and ignorance by the mode of goodness, and then one must surpass the mode of goodness by acting in the transcendental mode of pure goodness.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.13
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. rajaḥ-tamobhyāmby the modes of passion and ignorance
  2. yat apieven though
  3. vidvāna learned person
  4. vikṣiptabewildered
  5. dhīḥthe intelligence
  6. punaḥagain
  7. atandritaḥcarefully
  8. manaḥthe mind
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 11.13

    In this verse: “attached”, “attachment”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 11.13

    In this verse: “contamination”

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 helps you recognize when passion or ignorance is disturbing your judgment?

Practice

Today, notice one restless or clouded thought. Pause and carefully bring your attention back under control.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayCarefully Bring the Mind BackThis 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 11.13.12? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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