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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 15: Lord Kṛṣṇa’s Description of Mystic Yoga Perfections
11.15.2811.15.30

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.15.29

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Supreme Personality of Godheadsince 11.15.3inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Kṛṣṇa → Uddhava

अग्‍न्यादिभिर्न हन्येत मुनेर्योगमयं वपु: ।

मद्योगशान्तचित्तस्य यादसामुदकं यथा ॥ २९ ॥

agny-ādibhir na hanyeta

muner yoga-mayaṁ vapuḥ

mad-yoga-śānta-cittasya

yādasām udakaṁ yathā

Translation

Just as the bodies of aquatics cannot be injured by water, similarly, the body of a yogī whose consciousness is pacified by devotion to Me and who is fully developed in yoga science cannot be injured by fire, sun, water, poison, and so forth.

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.

Depend on Kṛṣṇa, Master of Mystic Power

  1. 1

    The verse describes protection from fire, water, poison and similar dangers for a yogī fully developed in yoga whose consciousness is pacified by devotion. Prahlāda Mahārāja was unharmed by such attacks because of his perfect Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

  2. 2

    Pure devotees depend fully on the mercy of Lord Kṛṣṇa, known as Yogeśvara, the master of all mystic power. They feel no need to develop separately the powers their Lord possesses without limit.

  3. 3

    Devotees recognize this world as the Lord’s potency. Rather than drowning in material existence, they engage in the loving service of Lord Kṛṣṇa.

Key points from the purport
  • The creatures dwelling in the ocean are never injured by water; rather, they enjoy life within the watery medium.
  • The pure devotees of the Lord depend fully on the mercy of Lord Kṛṣṇa, who possesses mystic opulences to an infinite degree and is therefore known as Yogeśvara, the master of all mystic power.
  • Similarly, the conditioned souls have fallen into the ocean of material existence and are drowning in the reactions to their sinful activities, whereas the devotees recognize this world to be the potency of the Lord and enjoy pleasurable pastimes within it by fully engaging in the loving service of Lord Kṛṣṇa.

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 15: Lord Kṛṣṇa’s Description of Mystic Yoga Perfections

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Unless used in the yoga of devotional service, these perfections are valueless. A devotee simply sees that the Personality of Godhead is always present everywhere, both externally and internally, and depends completely upon Him.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.15
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. agniby fire
  2. ādibhiḥand so on (sun, water, poison, etc.)
  3. nanot
  4. hanyetacan be injured
  5. muneḥof a wise yogī
  6. yoga-mayamfully cultivated in yoga science
  7. vapuḥthe body
  8. mat-yogaby devotional connection with Me
3

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 11.15

    In this verse: “devotion”, “devotees”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 11.15

    In this verse: “material”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 11.15

    In this verse: “dangers”

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 desire for personal power with dependence on Kṛṣṇa’s mercy?

Practice

Offer a brief prayer expressing dependence on Kṛṣṇa’s mercy and a desire to serve Him.

5

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 11.15's connections

Live this todayDepend on Kṛṣṇa, Master of Mystic PowerThis 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 11.15.29? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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