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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 14: Lord Kṛṣṇa Explains the Yoga System to Śrī Uddhava
11.13.4211.14.2

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.14.1

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Uddhavasince 11.14.1inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Kṛṣṇa → Uddhava

श्रीउद्धव उवाच

वदन्ति कृष्ण श्रेयांसि बहूनि ब्रह्मवादिन: ।

तेषां विकल्पप्राधान्यमुताहो एकमुख्यता ॥ १ ॥

śrī-uddhava uvāca

vadanti kṛṣṇa śreyāṁsi

bahūni brahma-vādinaḥ

teṣāṁ vikalpa-prādhānyam

utāho eka-mukhyatā

Translation

Śrī Uddhava said: My dear Kṛṣṇa, the learned sages who explain Vedic literature recommend various processes for perfecting one’s life. Considering these varieties of viewpoint, my Lord, please tell me whether all these processes are equally important, or whether one of them is supreme.

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.

Recognizing the Supreme Spiritual Process

  1. 1

    Śrī Uddhava asks Lord Kṛṣṇa whether all processes of spiritual advancement are equally important or whether one is supreme.

  2. 2

    His question establishes the exalted position of bhakti-yoga, pure devotional service to the Supreme Lord.

  3. 3

    Not all Vedic processes lead directly to pure love of God. Some gradually elevate consciousness, but secondary methods must give way when identifying the most perfect process.

Key points from the purport
  • In order to clearly establish the exalted position of bhakti-yoga, or pure devotional service to the Supreme Lord, Śrī Uddhava requests Lord Kṛṣṇa to identify the supreme among all processes of self-realization.
  • Not all Vedic processes lead directly to the ultimate goal, pure love of God; some only gradually elevate the consciousness of the living entity.
  • For the purpose of giving a general outline of the process of self-realization, sages may discuss the various methods of elevation.

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 14: Lord Kṛṣṇa Explains the Yoga System to Śrī Uddhava

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

In this chapter, Kṛṣṇa explains that devotional service to the Supreme Lord is the most excellent method of spiritual practice. He also speaks about the process of meditation.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.14
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śrī-uddhavaḥ uvācaŚrī Uddhava said
  2. vadantithey speak
  3. kṛṣṇamy dear Kṛṣṇa
  4. śreyāṁsiprocesses for advancement in life
  5. bahūnimany
  6. brahma-vādinaḥthe learned sages who have explained the Vedic literature
  7. teṣāmof all such processes
  8. vikalpaof varieties of perception
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 11.14

    In this verse: “devotional service”, “bhakti-yoga”

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 11.14

    In this verse: “love”

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 seeking pure love of God, or only gradual improvement in my life?

Practice

Write down pure love of God as your spiritual goal, and consider whether one current practice directly serves that goal.

Live this todayRecognizing the Supreme Spiritual ProcessThis 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 11.14.1? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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