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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 11.13.36

Who is speaking and story frame

देहं च नश्वरमवस्थितमुत्थितं वा

सिद्धो न पश्यति यतोऽध्यगमत् स्वरूपम् ।

दैवादपेतमथ दैववशादुपेतं

वासो यथा परिकृतं मदिरामदान्ध: ॥ ३६ ॥

dehaṁ ca naśvaram avasthitam utthitaṁ vā

siddho na paśyati yato ’dhyagamat svarūpam

daivād apetam atha daiva-vaśād upetaṁ

vāso yathā parikṛtaṁ madirā-madāndhaḥ

Translation

Just as a drunken man does not notice if he is wearing his coat or shirt, similarly, one who is perfect in self-realization and who has thus achieved his eternal identity does not notice whether the temporary body is sitting or standing. Indeed, if by God’s will the body is finished or if by God’s will he obtains a new body, a self-realized soul does not notice, just as a drunken man does not notice the situation of his outward dress.

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.

Serve Beyond Identification With the Body

  1. 1

    A person who has achieved spiritual identity does not make material sense gratification life’s goal. Such a person remains constantly engaged in the Lord’s service.

  2. 2

    The temporary body and flickering mind are material. A liberated soul knows that continued existence does not depend on the material body.

  3. 3

    Freedom from bodily identification does not mean punishing the body. The liberated soul remains neutral and accepts destiny as the will of the Supreme.

Key points from the purport
  • A Kṛṣṇa conscious person who has achieved his spiritual identity does not accept sense gratification in the material world as the goal of his life.
  • Similarly, a liberated soul has already achieved his spiritual body and therefore knows that his continued existence does not depend on the material body.
  • A liberated soul does not, however, inflict punishment on the body but rather remains neutral, naturally accepting his destiny as the will of the Supreme.

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. dehamthe material body
  2. caalso
  3. naśvaramto be destroyed
  4. avasthitamseated
  5. utthitamrisen
  6. vāor
  7. siddhaḥone who is perfect
  8. na paśyatidoes not see
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: “sense gratification”, “material”

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

Am I making service to the Lord or bodily enjoyment my main concern?

Practice

Set aside a few minutes for the Lord’s service today, remembering that the temporary body is not your lasting identity.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayServe Beyond Identification With the BodyThis 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 11.13.36? Get an answer from the verses themselves.