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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
11.17.3011.17.32

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.17.31

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

यद्यसौ छन्दसां लोकमारोक्ष्यन् ब्रह्मविष्टपम् ।

गुरवे विन्यसेद् देहं स्वाध्यायार्थं बृहद्‍व्रत: ॥ ३१ ॥

yady asau chandasāṁ lokam

ārokṣyan brahma-viṣṭapam

gurave vinyased dehaṁ

svādhyāyārthaṁ bṛhad-vrataḥ

Translation

If the brahmacārī student desires to ascend to the Maharloka or Brahmaloka planets, then he should completely surrender his activities to the spiritual master and, observing the powerful vow of perpetual celibacy, dedicate himself to superior Vedic studies.

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.

Wholehearted Service for Spiritual Perfection

  1. 1

    A brahmacārī desiring to reach Maharloka or Brahmaloka should surrender his activities to the spiritual master, maintain perpetual celibacy and pursue superior Vedic studies.

  2. 2

    One seeking the supreme perfection of life must engage body, mind and words in the service of a bona fide spiritual master.

  3. 3

    Even elevation to Maharloka or Brahmaloka requires full engagement in such service. The purport asks us to consider the sincerity needed to reach Kṛṣṇaloka, far beyond the material universe.

Key points from the purport
  • One who desires the supreme perfection of life must engage his body, mind and words in the service of a bona fide spiritual master.
  • One desiring elevation to superior planets such as Brahmaloka and Maharloka must fully engage in the spiritual master’s service.
  • We can thus imagine the sincerity of purpose and service required to achieve the Kṛṣṇaloka planet, which lies far beyond the material universe.

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. yadiif
  2. asauthat student
  3. chandasām lokamthe Maharloka planet
  4. ārokṣyandesiring to ascend to
  5. brahma-viṣṭapamBrahmaloka
  6. guraveunto the guru
  7. vinyasethe should offer
  8. dehamhis body
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

  • Śaraṇāgati · Wholehearted surrender

    Relinquishing ownership while entrusting oneself to the Lord. · Theme in SB 11.17

    In this verse: “surrender”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    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

How fully do your body, mind and words support your spiritual purpose?

Practice

Choose one service to the spiritual master and give it your undivided attention today.

Live this todayWholehearted Service for Spiritual PerfectionThis 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 11.17.31? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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