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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
11.13.2811.13.30

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.13.29

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

अहङ्कारकृतं बन्धमात्मनोऽर्थविपर्ययम् ।

विद्वान् निर्विद्य संसारचिन्तां तुर्ये स्थितस्त्यजेत् ॥ २९ ॥

ahaṅkāra-kṛtaṁ bandham

ātmano ’rtha-viparyayam

vidvān nirvidya saṁsāra-

cintāṁ turye sthitas tyajet

Translation

The false ego of the living entity places him in bondage and awards him exactly the opposite of what he really desires. Therefore, an intelligent person should give up his constant anxiety to enjoy material life and remain situated in the Lord, who is beyond the functions of material consciousness.

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.

Release Anxiety for Material Enjoyment

  1. 1

    False ego binds the living entity in illusion. Although we desire blissful life, eternity and knowledge, material pursuits can cover our eternal nature and bring the opposite result.

  2. 2

    False identification with the material world produces constant anxiety to enjoy it. Death and suffering are unwanted results of material existence.

  3. 3

    An intelligent person considers the unhappiness of material life and becomes situated in the transcendental Lord. Taking shelter in Him allows one to give up useless anxiety for material enjoyment.

Key points from the purport
  • Artha-viparyayam indicates that although the living entity desires blissful life, eternity and knowledge, he adopts procedures that actually cover over his eternal, blissful nature and give him exactly the opposite result.
  • An intelligent person should contemplate the unhappiness of material life and thus become situated in the transcendental Lord.
  • One should become situated in the Lord and give up such useless anxiety.”

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:

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. ahaṅkāraby false ego
  2. kṛtamproduced
  3. bandhambondage
  4. ātmanaḥof the soul
  5. arthaof that which is really valuable
  6. viparyayambeing the opposite
  7. vidvānone who knows
  8. nirvidyabeing detached
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”

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 11.13

    In this verse: “give up”

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 11.13

    In this verse: “false ego”

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

Which anxiety about enjoyment is leading me away from the happiness I actually seek?

Practice

Identify one anxious thought about material enjoyment, consider whether it promises lasting happiness, and spend a moment remembering the Lord instead.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRelease Anxiety for Material EnjoymentThis 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 11.13.29? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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