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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
11.14.4311.14.45

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.14.44

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Supreme Personality of Godheadsince 11.14.32-33inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Kṛṣṇa → Uddhava

तत्र लब्धपदं चित्तमाकृष्य व्योम्नि धारयेत् ।

तच्च त्यक्त्वा मदारोहो न किञ्चिदपि चिन्तयेत् ॥ ४४ ॥

tatra labdha-padaṁ cittam

ākṛṣya vyomni dhārayet

tac ca tyaktvā mad-āroho

na kiñcid api cintayet

Translation

Being established in meditation on the Lord’s face, one should then withdraw the consciousness and fix it in the sky. Then giving up such meditation, one should become established in Me and give up the process of meditation altogether.

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.

Meditation Matures into Loving Service

  1. 1

    The verse directs one from established meditation on the Lord’s face to meditation on the sky, and then beyond that process to being established in Him. The purport explains that fixing the mind on His face brings full liberation.

  2. 2

    In pure consciousness, the duality of “I am meditating and this is the object of my meditation” vanishes. One revives the forgotten eternal relationship with the Personality of Godhead.

  3. 3

    Beyond liberation, one renders service to the original Personality of Godhead. The goal is eternal bliss and knowledge in a direct loving relationship with the Lord, not merely remaining a meditator.

Key points from the purport
  • As one becomes established in pure consciousness, the duality of “I am meditating and this is the object of my meditation” vanishes, and one comes to the stage of spontaneous relationship with the Personality of Godhead.
  • In that stage, described here as mad-ārohaḥ, one no longer sees oneself as a meditator nor the Lord as a mere object of meditation, but rather one enters the spiritual sky for an eternal life of bliss and knowledge in direct loving relationship with the Lord.
  • By giving up the concept of being a meditator, one casts off the last small remnant of illusory energy and sees the Lord as He actually is.

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. tatrain such meditation on the Lord’s face
  2. labdha-padambeing established
  3. cittamconsciousness
  4. ākṛṣyawithdrawing
  5. vyomniin the sky
  6. dhārayetone should meditate
  7. tatsuch meditation in the sky as the cause of material manifestation
  8. caalso
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”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 11.14

    In this verse: “knowledge”

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 thinking of meditation only as a technique, or as a way toward loving relationship and service?

Practice

Pause today to reflect on this teaching: “I am part and parcel of the Supreme Lord, and my eternal relationship with Him is one of loving service.”

Live this todayMeditation Matures into Loving ServiceThis 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 11.14.44? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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