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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.
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Canto 11 · Chapter 13: The Haṁsa-avatāra Answers the Questions of the Sons of Brahmā
11.13.3711.13.39

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.13.38

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
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

मयैतदुक्तं वो विप्रा गुह्यं यत् साङ्ख्ययोगयो: ।

जानीत मागतं यज्ञं युष्मद्धर्मविवक्षया ॥ ३८ ॥

mayaitad uktaṁ vo viprā

guhyaṁ yat sāṅkhya-yogayoḥ

jānīta māgataṁ yajñaṁ

yuṣmad-dharma-vivakṣayā

Translation

My dear brāhmaṇas, I have now explained to you the confidential knowledge of Sāṅkhya, by which one philosophically distinguishes matter from spirit, and of aṣṭāṅga-yoga, by which one links up with the Supreme. Please understand that I am the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Viṣṇu, and that I have appeared before you desiring to explain your actual religious duties.

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.

Recognize the Supreme Teacher

  1. 1

    The Lord has explained confidential knowledge of Sāṅkhya, which distinguishes matter from spirit, and aṣṭāṅga-yoga, which links one with the Supreme.

  2. 2

    Lord Kṛṣṇa formally identifies Himself as Viṣṇu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This strengthens the faith of Brahmā’s sons and establishes the authority of His teachings.

  3. 3

    The Lord appeared to explain their actual religious duties. By answering their question about His identity, Lord Haṁsa enlightened Brahmā and his sons.

Key points from the purport
  • To increase the faith of Lord Brahmā’s sons and establish the prestige of His teachings, Lord Kṛṣṇa now formally identifies Himself as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Viṣṇu.
  • After explaining the sāṅkhya- and aṣṭāṅga-yoga systems, the Lord clearly answers the original question of the sages, “Who are You, sir?”
  • Thus, Lord Brahmā and his sons were enlightened by Lord Haṁsa.

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:

In order to receive some insight into this matter, he took shelter of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, whereupon the Supreme Lord appeared before him in the form of the swan incarnation, Lord Haṁsa. 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.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.13
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. mayāby Me
  2. etatthis (knowledge)
  3. uktamhas been spoken
  4. vaḥunto you
  5. viprāḥO brāhmaṇas
  6. guhyamconfidential
  7. yatwhich
  8. sāṅkhyaof the philosophical method of distinguishing matter from spirit
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Īśānukathā · The science of God

    Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 of 10

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “knowledge”, “philosophically”, “understand”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

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

    In this verse: “religious”, “duties”

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 does knowing the teacher’s identity affect my trust in these instructions?

Practice

Reread the Lord’s declaration of His identity and purpose, giving it a moment of attentive reflection.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRecognize the Supreme TeacherThis 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 11.13.38? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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