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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 18: Description of Varṇāśrama-dharma
11.18.1611.18.18

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.18.17

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Supreme Personality of Godheadsince 11.18.1inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Kṛṣṇa → Uddhava

मौनानीहानिलायामा दण्डा वाग्देहचेतसाम् ।

न ह्येते यस्य सन्त्यङ्ग वेणुभिर्न भवेद् यति: ॥ १७ ॥

maunānīhānilāyāmā

daṇḍā vāg-deha-cetasām

na hy ete yasya santy aṅga

veṇubhir na bhaved yatiḥ

Translation

One who has not accepted the three internal disciplines of avoiding useless speech, avoiding useless activities and controlling the life air can never be considered a sannyāsī merely because of his carrying bamboo rods.

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.

Real Renunciation Requires Inner Discipline

  1. 1

    The three rods of a Vaiṣṇava sannyāsī's staff signify dedication of body, mind and words to the Supreme Lord. These disciplines must first be accepted within oneself.

  2. 2

    Regulating the life air is meant to control the mind. One who always thinks of service to Lord Kṛṣṇa has achieved the perfection of prāṇāyāma.

  3. 3

    Carrying a staff or displaying saintly dress cannot replace bodily, mental and vocal discipline. Taking sannyāsa for prestige without actual advancement in kṛṣṇa-kīrtana leaves one vulnerable to the Lord's external energy.

Key points from the purport
  • The Vaiṣṇava sannyāsīs accept a staff made of three bamboo rods, signifying dedication of the body, mind and words to the service of the Supreme Lord.
  • Here Lord Kṛṣṇa says that one must first accept these three daṇḍas, or disciplines (namely control of the voice, body and mind), within oneself.
  • Merely carrying the three external daṇḍas without assimilating the internal daṇḍas of bodily, mental and vocal discipline can never make one an actual Vaiṣṇava sannyāsī, as explained here by 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 18: Description of Varṇāśrama-dharma

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Except in emergencies, the sannyāsī should never wear more clothing than a loincloth or some simple covering over his loincloth. He should carry no more than his staff and waterpot.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.18
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. maunaavoiding useless speech
  2. anīhagiving up fruitive activities
  3. anila-āyāmāḥcontrolling the breathing process
  4. daṇḍāḥstrict disciplines
  5. vākof the voice
  6. dehaof the body
  7. cetasāmof the mind
  8. nanot
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

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 do I give more attention to appearing spiritual than to practicing inner discipline?

Practice

Replace one moment of useless speech today with words about serving Lord Kṛṣṇa.

Live this todayReal Renunciation Requires Inner DisciplineThis 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 11.18.17? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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