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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

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
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

11.14.17 11.14.19

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.14.18

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection

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

बाध्यमानोऽपि मद्भ‍क्तो विषयैरजितेन्द्रिय: ।

प्राय: प्रगल्भया भक्त्या विषयैर्नाभिभूयते ॥ १८ ॥

bādhyamāno ’pi mad-bhakto

viṣayair ajitendriyaḥ

prāyaḥ pragalbhayā bhaktyā

viṣayair nābhibhūyate

Translation

My dear Uddhava, if My devotee has not fully conquered his senses, he may be harassed by material desires, but because of his unflinching devotion for Me, he will not be defeated by sense gratification.

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.

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Strong Devotion Sustains the Struggling Devotee

1
Even a sincere devotee may be troubled by material desires because of previous bad habits and immaturity. Unflinching devotion to Lord Kṛṣṇa keeps that devotee from being defeated by sense gratification.
2
Strong devotion does not mean deliberately committing sinful activities and chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa to avoid their reactions.
3
Like a courageous warrior who accepts a blow and continues toward victory, a devotee continues despite weakness. If devotion to Kṛṣṇa remains very strong, occasional weakness does not erase the devotee’s standing.

Key points from the purport

But even though one’s senses are not fully conquered, one who has unflinching devotion for Lord Kṛṣṇa does not run the risk of being separated from Him.
Because of previous bad habits and immaturity, even a sincere devotee may be harassed by lingering attraction to the bodily concept of life; but his unflinching devotion for Lord Kṛṣṇa will act.
Even if he displays occasional weakness, he is still considered a devotee if his devotion to Lord Kṛṣṇa is very strong.

The purport's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 1

The purport of SB 11.14.18 quotesBG 9.30

As the Lord states in Bhagavad-gītā (9.30): “Even if one commits the most abominable actions, if he is engaged in devotional service he is to be considered saintly because he is properly situated.”

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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

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

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

By virtue of his unflinching devotion to the Lord, the devotee can never be completely diverted by the objects of sense enjoyment, even if he is not able to gain control over his senses in the beginning. One desiring to attain the perfection of life is advised to give up all material processes of elevation as well as the association of women.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in chapter 11.14

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

bādhyamānaḥbeing harassed
apieven though
mat-bhaktaḥMy devotee
viṣayaiḥby the sense objects
ajitawithout having conquered
indriyaḥthe senses
prāyaḥgenerally
pragalbhayāeffective and strong

Key ideas in this verse

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

Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord
How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10
Bhakti · Devotion and loving service
How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 11.14
In this verse: “devotion”, “devotee”
Moha · Material attachment
The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 11.14
In this verse: “sense gratification”, “material”
Śuddhi · Inner transformation
The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 11.14
In this verse: “sinful”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

When lingering desires trouble me, do I return to devotion or become discouraged?

Practice

When one distracting desire arises today, pause and chant Hare Kṛṣṇa with a sincere intention to continue serving.

Live this todayStrong Devotion Sustains the Struggling DevoteeThis 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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