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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
11.14.4511.15.1

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.14.46

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

ध्यानेनेत्थं सुतीव्रेण युञ्जतो योगिनो मन: ।

संयास्यत्याशु निर्वाणं द्रव्य ज्ञानक्रियाभ्रम: ॥ ४६ ॥

dhyānenetthaṁ su-tīvreṇa

yuñjato yogino manaḥ

saṁyāsyaty āśu nirvāṇaṁ

dravya jñāna-kriyā-bhramaḥ

Translation

When the yogī thus controls his mind by intensely concentrated meditation, his illusory identification with material objects, knowledge and activities is very quickly extinguished.

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.

Perfect Yoga in Prideless Loving Service

  1. 1

    Intensely concentrated meditation quickly extinguishes false identification with material objects, knowledge and activities. Even powerful demigods are humble servants of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, not ultimate realities.

  2. 2

    The other yoga processes are part and parcel of bhakti-yoga and do not exist separately. Lord Kṛṣṇa is life’s goal, and perfection in meditation requires pure devotion.

  3. 3

    Mature devotion naturally expresses itself in hearing about and glorifying the Lord out of love. One must give up egoistic ambition and come to the prideless stage of loving service.

Key points from the purport
  • The goal of life is Lord Kṛṣṇa, and one must eventually come to the stage of pure devotion if one desires to perfect one’s meditation or yoga practice.
  • Uddhava was a pure devotee even before the Lord began His instruction; therefore it was not expected that Uddhava would give up the supreme platform of being a personal associate of the Lord to take up the mechanical exercises of the yoga system.
  • One must give up the illusory designations of dravya, jñāna and kriyā and come to the prideless stage of loving service to the 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:

He should then merge his mind constantly in thought of Lord Kṛṣṇa. Finally, the Lord instructed Śrī Uddhava about the true object of meditation.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.14
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. dhyānenaby meditation
  2. itthamas thus mentioned
  3. su-tīvreṇaextremely concentrated
  4. yuñjataḥof one practicing
  5. yoginaḥof the yogī
  6. manaḥthe mind
  7. saṁyāsyatiwill go together
  8. āśuquickly
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: “devotion”, “bhakti-yoga”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “knowledge”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

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

Where can I replace the wish to appear spiritually accomplished with the wish to please Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Read one passage about Kṛṣṇa today with the intention of pleasing Him rather than gaining recognition for your knowledge.

Live this todayPerfect Yoga in Prideless 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 11.14.46? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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