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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
11.13.3811.13.40

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.13.39

Āśraya· The supreme shelter
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

अहं योगस्य सांख्यस्य सत्यस्यर्तस्य तेजस: ।

परायणं द्विजश्रेष्ठा: श्रिय: कीर्तेर्दमस्य च ॥ ३९ ॥

ahaṁ yogasya sāṅkhyasya

satyasyartasya tejasaḥ

parāyaṇaṁ dvija-śreṣṭhāḥ

śriyaḥ kīrter damasya ca

Translation

O best of the brāhmaṇas, please know that I am the supreme shelter of the yoga system, analytic philosophy, virtuous action, truthful religious principles, power, beauty, fame and self-control.

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.

The Lord Is the Supreme Shelter

  1. 1

    The Lord is the supreme shelter of yoga and analytic philosophy. He is also the shelter of power, beauty, fame and self-control.

  2. 2

    Virtuous religious conduct and a convincing presentation of religion both rest upon the Lord. Neither stands independently of Him.

  3. 3

    Brahmā’s sons were astonished by the knowledge they had heard. Recognizing their wonder, the Supreme Personality of Godhead confirmed their understanding of Him.

Key points from the purport
  • According to Śrīla Śrīdhara Svāmī, the synonymous words satyasya and ṛtasya refer to, respectively, the proper or virtuous execution of religious principles and a convincing presentation of religion.
  • Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura points out that the sons of Brahmā were struck with wonder at the presentation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and were thinking, “What wonderful knowledge we have just heard.”
  • The Lord, recognizing their astonishment, spoke this verse to confirm their understanding of Him.

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. ahamI
  2. yogasyaof the yoga system
  3. sāṅkhyasyaof the system of analytic philosophy
  4. satyasyaof virtuous action
  5. ṛtasyaof truthful religious principles
  6. tejasaḥof power
  7. para-ayaṇamthe ultimate shelter
  8. dvija-śreṣṭhāḥO best of the brāhmaṇas
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Āśraya · The summum bonum

    Who is the shelter of everything? · Subject 10 of 10

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “philosophy”, “knowledge”, “understanding”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

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

    In this verse: “religious”, “principles”

  • Śaraṇāgati · Wholehearted surrender

    Relinquishing ownership while entrusting oneself to the Lord. · Theme in SB 11.13

    In this verse: “shelter”

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

Do I recognize the Lord as the shelter of the qualities I admire?

Practice

When you notice beauty, power or self-control today, pause to remember the Lord as its supreme shelter.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord Is the Supreme ShelterThis 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.

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