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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
11.13.2611.13.28

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.13.27

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Supreme Personality of Godheadsince 11.13.18inside 4 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Kṛṣṇa → UddhavaLord Haṁsa → the Kumāras

जाग्रत् स्वप्न: सुषुप्तं च गुणतो बुद्धिवृत्तय: ।

तासां विलक्षणो जीव: साक्षित्वेन विनिश्चित: ॥ २७ ॥

jāgrat svapnaḥ suṣuptaṁ ca

guṇato buddhi-vṛttayaḥ

tāsāṁ vilakṣaṇo jīvaḥ

sākṣitvena viniścitaḥ

Translation

Waking, sleeping and deep sleep are the three functions of the intelligence and are caused by the modes of material nature. The living entity within the body is ascertained to possess characteristics different from these three states and thus remains as a witness to them.

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.

The Soul Witnesses Changing States

  1. 1

    Wakefulness, dreaming and deep dreamless sleep are functions of intelligence caused by the modes of nature. They arise from goodness, passion and ignorance, respectively.

  2. 2

    The spirit soul is different from these three states and remains their witness. Pure consciousness pervades them without being identical with them.

  3. 3

    Real renunciation means giving up identification with subtle and gross matter. Freedom to witness the functions of illusion is achieved by developing Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

Key points from the purport
  • The spirit soul actually has nothing to do with the material world, having no permanent or natural relationship with it.
  • Suṣuptam, or deep sleep, indicates sleeping without any dreams or conscious activity.
  • The fourth element, pure consciousness, is different from these three and pervades them.”

The purport's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 1

The purport of SB 11.13.27 quotesSB 11.25.20

The fourth element, pure consciousness, is different from these three and pervades them.”

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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:

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. The sages headed by Sanaka became freed from all their doubts by hearing the words of the Lord and worshiped Him with pure devotion in mature love of God.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.13
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. jāgratbeing awake
  2. svapnaḥdreaming
  3. su-suptamdeep sleep
  4. caalso
  5. guṇataḥcaused by the modes of nature
  6. buddhiof intelligence
  7. vṛttayaḥthe functions
  8. tāsāmfrom such functions
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: “material”, “illusion”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “spirit soul”

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

How might remembering that I witness changing mental states loosen my identification with them?

Practice

Pause once today to notice your present mental state, remembering that you are its witness and directing your attention toward Kṛṣṇa.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

The purport quotesSB 11.25.20

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 11.13's connections

Live this todayThe Soul Witnesses Changing StatesThis 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 11.13.27? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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