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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
11.14.2811.14.30

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.14.29

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

स्‍त्रीणां स्‍त्रीसङ्गिनां सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा दूरत आत्मवान् ।

क्षेमे विविक्त आसीनश्चिन्तयेन्मामतन्द्रित: ॥ २९ ॥

strīṇāṁ strī-saṅgināṁ saṅgaṁ

tyaktvā dūrata ātmavān

kṣeme vivikta āsīnaś

cintayen mām atandritaḥ

Translation

Being conscious of the eternal self, one should give up association with women and those intimately associated with women. Sitting fearlessly in a solitary place, one should concentrate the mind on Me with great attention.

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.

Protect Attentive Remembrance Through Careful Association

  1. 1

    Intimate attachment to women can weaken one’s determination to return to Godhead. Association with lusty men has the same effect.

  2. 2

    One should fearlessly choose a solitary place, or a place free from lustful association, and remain with sincere devotees of the Lord.

  3. 3

    Firm practical understanding of the eternal soul supports this careful choice of association. One should concentrate on the Lord attentively, without compromising this principle.

Key points from the purport
  • Therefore, one is advised to be fearless and to sit down in a solitary place, or a place where there are no lusty men and women committing spiritual suicide.
  • Without fear of failure or of unhappiness in life, one should remain with sincere devotees of the Lord.
  • Atandrita means that one should not compromise this principle but should be rigid and cautious.

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:

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. He should then merge his mind constantly in thought of Lord Kṛṣṇa.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.14
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. strīṇāmof women
  2. strīto women
  3. saṅgināmof those who are attached or intimately associated
  4. saṅgamassociation
  5. tyaktvāgiving up
  6. dūrataḥfar away
  7. ātma-vānbeing conscious of the self
  8. kṣemefearless
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

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

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

    In this verse: “give up”, “free from”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 11.14

    In this verse: “attachment”, “lusty”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 11.14

    In this verse: “fearlessly”

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

Which associations support my determination to remember and serve the Lord?

Practice

Choose a quiet place free from lustful distractions and spend a few attentive minutes remembering the Lord.

Live this todayProtect Attentive Remembrance Through Careful AssociationThis 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 11.14.29? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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