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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
11.13.1511.13.17

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.13.16

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Supreme Personality of Godheadsince 11.13.16inside 4 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Kṛṣṇa → UddhavaLord Haṁsa → the Kumāras

श्रीभगवानुवाच

पुत्रा हिरण्यगर्भस्य मानसा: सनकादय: ।

पप्रच्छु: पितरं सूक्ष्मां योगस्यैकान्तिकीं गतिम् ॥ १६ ॥

śrī-bhagavān uvāca

putrā hiraṇyagarbhasya

mānasāḥ sanakādayaḥ

papracchuḥ pitaraṁ sūkṣmāṁ

yogasyaikāntikīṁ gatim

Translation

The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: Once, the mental sons of Lord Brahmā, namely, the sages headed by Sanaka, inquired from their father about the difficult subject matter of the supreme goal of yoga.

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.

Inquire About Yoga's Supreme Goal

  1. 1

    The Supreme Personality of Godhead begins describing an inquiry made by the mental sons of Lord Brahmā.

  2. 2

    The sages, headed by Sanaka, approached their father with their question.

  3. 3

    Their inquiry concerned the difficult subject of the supreme goal of yoga.

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:

In order to receive some insight into this matter, he took shelter of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, whereupon the Supreme Lord appeared before him in the form of the swan incarnation, Lord Haṁsa. Lord Haṁsa proceeded to give instructions about the categorical identity of the self, the different states of consciousness (wakeful awareness, sleep and deep sleep) and the means for conquering over material existence.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.13
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śrī-bhagavān uvācathe Supreme Personality of Godhead said
  2. putrāḥthe sons
  3. hiraṇya-garbhasyaof Lord Brahmā
  4. mānasāḥborn of the mind
  5. sanaka-ādayaḥheaded by Sanaka Ṛṣi
  6. papracchuḥinquired
  7. pitaramfrom their father (Brahmā)
  8. sūkṣmāmsubtle and therefore difficult to understand
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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 11.13

    In this verse: “inquired”, “inquiry”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 11.13

    In this verse: “father”

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

Do you give attention to the goal of spiritual practice, as well as its procedures?

Practice

Pause before today's study and state your intention to understand the supreme goal of yoga.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayInquire About Yoga's Supreme GoalThis 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 11.13.16? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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