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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
11.14.1611.14.18

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.14.17

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Supreme Personality of Godheadsince 11.14.3inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Kṛṣṇa → Uddhava

निष्किञ्चना मय्यनुरक्तचेतस:

शान्ता महान्तोऽखिलजीववत्सला: ।

कामैरनालब्धधियो जुषन्ति ते

यन्नैरपेक्ष्यं न विदु: सुखं मम ॥ १७ ॥

niṣkiñcanā mayy anurakta-cetasaḥ

śāntā mahānto ’khila-jīva-vatsalāḥ

kāmair anālabdha-dhiyo juṣanti te

yan nairapekṣyaṁ na viduḥ sukhaṁ mama

Translation

Those who are without any desire for personal gratification, whose minds are always attached to Me, who are peaceful, without false ego and merciful to all living entities, and whose consciousness is never affected by opportunities for sense gratification — such persons enjoy in Me a happiness that cannot be known or achieved by those lacking such detachment from the material world.

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.

Devotional Happiness Inspires Mercy Toward All

  1. 1

    Pure devotees experience transcendental bliss in service to Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the reservoir of pleasure. They are detached from material pleasure and do not desire even liberation.

  2. 2

    They are peaceful, without false ego, and merciful to all living entities. They are great souls because they desire to give Kṛṣṇa conscious happiness to others.

  3. 3

    Opportunities for sense gratification may arise during service, but a pure devotee is not tempted. Those who retain personal desires cannot experience this same happiness.

Key points from the purport
  • The pure devotees always experience transcendental bliss in their service to Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the reservoir of pleasure; thus they are completely detached from material pleasure and do not desire even liberation.
  • Since all others have some personal desire, they cannot experience such happiness.
  • Pure devotees always desire to give Kṛṣṇa conscious happiness to all others, and therefore they are called mahāntaḥ, or great souls.

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:

Because of the living entities’ multitude of diverse desires, this system of religion was elaborately explained in different ways. Thus different philosophies arose, including various atheistic doctrines.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.14
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. niṣkiñcanāḥwithout any desire for sense gratification
  2. mayiin Me, the Supreme Lord
  3. anurakta-cetasaḥmind constantly attached
  4. śāntāḥpeaceful
  5. mahāntaḥgreat souls without false ego
  6. akhilato all
  7. jīvaliving entities
  8. vatsalāḥaffectionate well-wishers
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 11.14

    In this verse: “attached”, “sense gratification”, “material”

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 11.14

    In this verse: “detachment”, “detached”

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 11.14

    In this verse: “false ego”

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 my desire for happiness include helping others find happiness in Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Share one encouraging thought about happiness in serving Kṛṣṇa with someone willing to hear.

Live this todayDevotional Happiness Inspires Mercy Toward AllThis 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 11.14.17? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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