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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.
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Canto 11 · Chapter 16: The Lord’s Opulence
11.16.4211.16.44

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.16.43

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Supreme Personality of Godheadsince 11.16.6inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Kṛṣṇa → Uddhava

यो वै वाङ्‍मनसी सम्यगसंयच्छन् धिया यति: ।

तस्य व्रतं तपो दानं स्रवत्यामघटाम्बुवत् ॥ ४३ ॥

yo vai vāṅ-manasī saṁyag

asaṁyacchan dhiyā yatiḥ

tasya vrataṁ tapo dānaṁ

sravaty āma-ghaṭāmbu-vat

Translation

A transcendentalist who does not completely control his words and mind by superior intelligence will find that his spiritual vows, austerities and charity flow away just as water flows out of an unbaked clay pot.

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 Spiritual Discipline Through Self-Control

  1. 1

    An unbaked clay pot cannot hold water without leaking. Similarly, uncontrolled speech and mind allow spiritual vows, austerities and charity to gradually slip away.

  2. 2

    Charity means work for the welfare of others, and preaching Kṛṣṇa consciousness is the highest charity. Those doing this work should not use clever speech for sensual attraction or seek intellectual prestige.

  3. 3

    Thoughts of intimate sexual relationships and dreams of prestigious positions weaken determination to practice Kṛṣṇa consciousness strictly. Higher intelligence must guide the mind, senses and speech so that life becomes successful.

Key points from the purport
  • If a clay pot is not properly baked, however, water or any other liquid within it will seep out and be lost.
  • Similarly, a transcendentalist who does not control his speech and mind will find that his spiritual discipline and austerity gradually seep away and are lost.
  • One must control the mind, senses and speech by higher intelligence so that one’s life will be successful.

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 16: The Lord’s Opulence

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Material opulences are not substantially true, and therefore one should not become too involved in meditating upon them. The pure devotees of the Supreme Lord utilize their intelligence to properly regulate the activities of their speech, mind and vital force and thus perfect their existence in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.16
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yaḥone who
  2. vaicertainly
  3. vāk-manasīthe speech and mind
  4. saṁyakcompletely
  5. asaṁyacchannot controlling
  6. dhiyāby intelligence
  7. yatiḥa transcendentalist
  8. tasyahis
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

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 11.16

    In this verse: “welfare”

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

What recurring thought or habit of speech weakens my determination to practice Kṛṣṇa consciousness?

Practice

When a daydream of prestige arises today, set it aside and return to one concrete part of your practice of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

Live this todayProtect Spiritual Discipline Through Self-ControlThis 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 11.16.43? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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