1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 11 · General History · 31 chapters

12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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 17: Lord Kṛṣṇa’s Description of the Varṇāśrama System
11.17.1811.17.20

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.17.19

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Supreme Personality of Godheadsince 11.17.9inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Kṛṣṇa → Uddhava

शुश्रूषणं द्विजगवां देवानां चाप्यमायया ।

तत्र लब्धेन सन्तोष: शूद्रप्रकृतयस्त्विमा: ॥ १९ ॥

śuśrūṣaṇaṁ dvija-gavāṁ

devānāṁ cāpy amāyayā

tatra labdhena santoṣaḥ

śūdra-prakṛtayas tv imāḥ

Translation

Service without duplicity to the brāhmaṇas, cows, demigods and other worshipable personalities, and complete satisfaction with whatever income is obtained in such service, are the natural qualities of śūdras.

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.

Sincere Service Within a Caring Society

  1. 1

    The natural qualities of śūdras include service without duplicity to brāhmaṇas, cows, demigods and other worshipable personalities, with satisfaction in the income obtained.

  2. 2

    Such satisfaction does not mean lacking life’s necessities. In a properly functioning Vedic society, kṣatriyas and vaiśyas are abundantly generous, and brāhmaṇas are merciful.

  3. 3

    When all social classes follow Vedic injunctions, everyone can be happy and satisfied. The purport describes a blissful human society under the guidance of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

Key points from the purport
  • When the entire social order is functioning properly according to Vedic standards, everyone is happy and satisfied.
  • Although the śūdras are to be satisfied with whatever income they obtain through their service, they never lack the necessities of life, because the other orders of society, such as kṣatriyas and vaiśyas, are required to be abundantly generous, and the brāhmaṇas are well known for being the most merciful of all.
  • Therefore, if all social classes obey the Vedic injunctions there will be a new and blissful life for the entire human society under the guidance of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

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 17: Lord Kṛṣṇa’s Description of the Varṇāśrama System

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

He also describes those qualities that pertain to humanity in general. Members of the higher orders are qualified to accept second birth.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.17
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śuśrūṣaṇamservice
  2. dvijaof the brāhmaṇas
  3. gavāmof the cows
  4. devānāmof worshipable personalities such as the demigods and the spiritual master
  5. caalso
  6. apiindeed
  7. amāyayāwithout duplicity
  8. tatrain such service
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 11.17

    In this verse: “worshipable”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 11.17

    In this verse: “merciful”

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 I pair sincere service with concern for another person’s necessities?

Practice

Help meet one person’s basic need today through a small, generous act.

Live this todaySincere Service Within a Caring SocietyThis 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 11.17.19? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories