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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 17: Lord Kṛṣṇa’s Description of the Varṇāśrama System
11.17.2711.17.29

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.17.28

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

सायं प्रातरुपानीय भैक्ष्यं तस्मै निवेदयेत् ।

यच्चान्यदप्यनुज्ञातमुपयुञ्जीत संयत: ॥ २८ ॥

sāyaṁ prātar upānīya

bhaikṣyaṁ tasmai nivedayet

yac cānyad apy anujñātam

upayuñjīta saṁyataḥ

Translation

In the morning and evening one should collect foodstuffs and other articles and deliver them to the spiritual master. Then, being self-controlled, one should accept for oneself that which is allotted by the ācārya.

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.

Learn to Offer Everything in Service

  1. 1

    The student should bring collected foodstuffs and other articles to the spiritual master, then humbly accept what the ācārya allots. One seeking his mercy should not be eager to accumulate things for sense gratification.

  2. 2

    Every living entity must be trained to serve the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The spiritual master teaches the disciple how to worship the Lord and gradually entrusts responsibilities as the disciple matures.

  3. 3

    A bona fide spiritual master uses nothing for personal sense gratification. He entrusts the disciple with only as much material opulence as the disciple can properly offer to the Lord.

Key points from the purport
  • One who desires to receive the mercy of a bona fide spiritual master should not be eager to accumulate the paraphernalia of sense gratification; rather, whatever one is able to collect one should offer at the lotus feet of the ācārya.
  • Being self-controlled, one should humbly accept that which is allotted by the bona fide spiritual master.
  • Therefore, one should be trained to serve a bona fide spiritual master and thus become mature in 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 should render menial service to the spiritual master by massaging his feet and worshiping him and should avoid all sense gratification and strictly maintain the vow of celibacy. With his mind, body and words, he should worship the Supreme Lord in the form of the Supersoul in the way prescribed for him.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.17
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. sāyamin the evening
  2. prātaḥin the morning
  3. upānīyabringing
  4. bhaikṣyamfood that is collected by begging
  5. tasmaiunto him (the ācārya)
  6. nivedayetone should deliver
  7. yatthat which
  8. caalso
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 11.17

    In this verse: “sense gratification”, “material”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “worship”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 11.17

    In this verse: “mercy”

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

Do you see your resources mainly as means for enjoyment or as opportunities for service?

Practice

Choose one resource you already have and identify a concrete way to use it in devotional service rather than personal sense gratification.

Live this todayLearn to Offer Everything in 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 11.17.28? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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