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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
11.13.1311.13.15

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.13.14

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

एतावान् योग आदिष्टो मच्छिष्यै: सनकादिभि: ।

सर्वतो मन आकृष्य मय्यद्धावेश्यते यथा ॥ १४ ॥

etāvān yoga ādiṣṭo

mac-chiṣyaiḥ sanakādibhiḥ

sarvato mana ākṛṣya

mayy addhāveśyate yathā

Translation

The actual yoga system as taught by My devotees, headed by Sanaka-kumāra, is simply this: Having withdrawn the mind from all other objects, one should directly and appropriately absorb it in Me.

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.

True Yoga Directs the Mind to Kṛṣṇa

  1. 1

    The yoga system taught by the Lord's devotees, headed by Sanaka-kumāra, withdraws the mind from all other objects and absorbs it in Him.

  2. 2

    To practice properly, one should hear directly from Lord Kṛṣṇa or His bona fide representative, as Uddhava did.

  3. 3

    The mind should be fixed directly in Lord Kṛṣṇa; withdrawal from other objects serves this purpose.

Key points from the purport
  • The word yathā (“accordingly” or “properly”) indicates that like Uddhava one should hear directly from Lord Kṛṣṇa or His bona fide representative and directly (addhā) fix the mind in Lord Kṛṣṇa.

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

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Lacking discrimination, one identifies with the material body, and consequently the mode of passion, which produces misery, takes over the mind, which is normally in the mode of goodness. As the mind evolves its function of decision and doubt, it creates intolerable hankerings for sense gratification.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.13
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. etāvānactually this
  2. yogaḥyoga system
  3. ādiṣṭaḥinstructed
  4. mat-śiṣyaiḥby My devotees
  5. sanaka-ādibhiḥheaded by Sanaka-kumāra
  6. sarvataḥfrom all sides
  7. manaḥthe mind
  8. ākṛṣyawithdrawing
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 11.13

    In this verse: “devotees”

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

Does your spiritual practice help you direct your attention toward Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Read the Lord's instruction in this verse slowly, then spend a quiet moment directing your mind toward Kṛṣṇa.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayTrue Yoga Directs the Mind to KṛṣṇaThis 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 11.13.14? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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