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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
11.14.3011.14.32-33

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.14.31

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Uddhavasince 11.14.31inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Kṛṣṇa → Uddhava

श्रीउद्धव उवाच

यथा त्वामरविन्दाक्ष याद‍ृशं वा यदात्मकम् ।

ध्यायेन्मुमुक्षुरेतन्मे ध्यानं त्वं वक्तुमर्हसि ॥ ३१ ॥

śrī-uddhava uvāca

yathā tvām aravindākṣa

yādṛśaṁ vā yad-ātmakam

dhyāyen mumukṣur etan me

dhyānaṁ tvaṁ vaktum arhasi

Translation

Śrī Uddhava said: My dear lotus-eyed Kṛṣṇa, by what process should one who desires liberation meditate upon You, of what specific nature should his meditation be, and upon which form should he meditate? Kindly explain to me this topic of meditation.

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.

Understanding Meditation Deepens Appreciation of Devotion

  1. 1

    Śrī Uddhava asks Kṛṣṇa how a person seeking liberation should meditate upon Him. He asks about the process, the nature of meditation and the form to contemplate.

  2. 2

    Without loving devotional service to the Supreme Lord in the association of devotees, no other process of self-realization will work. Comparing other processes helps devotees appreciate the beauty and perfection of bhakti-yoga.

  3. 3

    Uddhava is not himself seeking mere liberation. He asks for his own appreciation and to help those seeking liberation turn toward pure devotional service.

Key points from the purport
  • Therefore it may be asked why Uddhava is again referring to the system of meditation, dhyāna.
  • It should also be understood that although Uddhava asks about those who aspire for liberation, he is not actually a mumukṣu, or salvationist; rather, he is asking questions for the benefit of those who are not on the platform of love of Godhead.
  • Uddhava wants to hear this knowledge for his personal appreciation and so that those who pursue salvation, or liberation, can be protected and redirected to the path of pure devotional service to the Supreme Lord.

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 way one becomes free from all desires for selfish gratification through enjoyment of mundane sense objects, and he becomes released from all hankering for either enjoyment or liberation. The Lord then proceeded to describe the superior process of devotional service, which destroys countless sinful reactions and produces many symptoms of spiritual happiness, such as the standing of the hairs on end.
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. yathāin what way
  3. tvāmYou
  4. aravinda-akṣaO my dear lotus-eyed Kṛṣṇa
  5. yādṛśamof what specific nature
  6. vāor
  7. yat-ātmakamin what specific form
  8. dhyāyetshould meditate
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”, “devotees”, “bhakti-yoga”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 11.14

    In this verse: “kindly”

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 study help me appreciate devotional service rather than seek liberation alone?

Practice

Write down one question about meditation that you would like to understand in relation to loving service to Kṛṣṇa.

Live this todayUnderstanding Meditation Deepens Appreciation of DevotionThis 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 11.14.31? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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