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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
11.13.211.13.4

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.13.3

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Supreme Personality of Godheadsince 11.13.1inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Kṛṣṇa → Uddhava

धर्मो रजस्तमो हन्यात् सत्त्ववृद्धिरनुत्तम: ।

आशु नश्यति तन्मूलो ह्यधर्म उभये हते ॥ ३ ॥

dharmo rajas tamo hanyāt

sattva-vṛddhir anuttamaḥ

āśu naśyati tan-mūlo

hy adharma ubhaye hate

Translation

Religious principles, strengthened by the mode of goodness, destroy the influence of passion and ignorance. When passion and ignorance are overcome, their original cause, irreligion, is quickly vanquished.

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.

Religious Practice Overcomes Passion and Ignorance

  1. 1

    The mode of goodness strengthens religious principles. In this teaching, those principles are directed toward devotional service.

  2. 2

    Strengthened religious principles destroy the influence of passion and ignorance.

  3. 3

    When passion and ignorance are overcome, their original cause, irreligion, is quickly vanquished.

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:

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. By associating with things in the mode of goodness, one becomes more fully situated in that mode.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.13
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. dharmaḥreligious principles based on devotional service
  2. rajaḥthe mode of passion
  3. tamaḥthe mode of ignorance
  4. hanyātdestroy
  5. sattvaof goodness
  6. vṛddhiḥby the increase
  7. anuttamaḥthe greatest
  8. āśuquickly
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

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 11.13

    In this verse: “religious”, “principles”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotional service”

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 part of my religious practice needs more steady attention?

Practice

Set aside a short, uninterrupted time today for a devotional practice you already follow.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayReligious Practice Overcomes Passion and IgnoranceThis 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 11.13.3? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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