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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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.13.35

Who is speaking and story frame

द‍ृष्टिं तत: प्रतिनिवर्त्य निवृत्ततृष्ण-

स्तूष्णीं भवेन्निजसुखानुभवो निरीह:

सन्दृश्यते क्व‍ च यदीदमवस्तुबुद्ध्या

त्यक्तं भ्रमाय न भवेत् स्मृतिरानिपातात् ॥ ३५ ॥

dṛṣṭiṁ tataḥ pratinivartya nivṛtta-tṛṣṇas

tūṣṇīṁ bhaven nija-sukhānubhavo nirīhaḥ

sandṛśyate kva ca yadīdam avastu-buddhyā

tyaktaṁ bhramāya na bhavet smṛtir ā-nipātāt

Translation

Having understood the temporary illusory nature of material things, and thus having pulled one’s vision away from illusion, one should remain without material desires. By experiencing the happiness of the soul, one should give up material speaking and activities. If sometimes one must observe the material world, one should remember that it is not ultimate reality and therefore one has given it up. By such constant remembrance up till the time of death, one will not again fall into illusion.

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.

Seek Spiritual Happiness Through Devotional Service

  1. 1

    Eating, sleeping and other bodily needs require some dealings with the material world. At such times, one should remember that it is not ultimate reality and remain Kṛṣṇa conscious.

  2. 2

    One should give up anxiety for sense gratification and seek spiritual bliss through devotional service to the Supreme Lord. Reviving one’s relationship with Kṛṣṇa is the alternative to personal material enjoyment.

  3. 3

    Accepting material objects for personal enjoyment produces attachment and bewilderment. Constant remembrance and withdrawal from materially motivated thought, speech and action protect one from illusion.

Key points from the purport
  • At such times one should remember that the material world is not actual reality and that therefore one has given it up to become Kṛṣṇa conscious.
  • By such constant remembrance, by enjoying spiritual bliss within oneself and by retiring from any material activities of the mind, speech or body, one will not fall into material illusion.
  • By gradually developing one’s spiritual body, one will no longer desire to enjoy anything within the material world.”

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:

Yet even Brahmā is always suffering agitation of the mind on account of the duties he has to perform; therefore, when he was questioned by his sons headed by Sanaka, who were born from his mind, about the means for driving away desires for sense gratification, he was incapable of giving them an answer.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.13
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. dṛṣṭimsight
  2. tataḥfrom that illusion
  3. pratinivartyapulling away
  4. nivṛttaceased
  5. tṛṣṇaḥmaterial hankering
  6. tūṣṇīmsilent
  7. bhavetone should become
  8. nijaone’s own (of the soul)
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: “illusion”, “material”, “attachment”

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

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

    In this verse: “give up”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 11.13

    In this verse: “death”

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 can I meet a bodily need without making personal enjoyment my goal?

Practice

During one meal today, remember that bodily maintenance is necessary, while spiritual happiness is sought through devotional service.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySeek Spiritual Happiness Through Devotional ServiceThis 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 11.13.35? Get an answer from the verses themselves.