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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
11.18.2111.18.23

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.18.22

Mukti· Liberation
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

अन्वीक्षेतात्मनो बन्धं मोक्षं च ज्ञाननिष्ठया ।

बन्ध इन्द्रियविक्षेपो मोक्ष एषां च संयम: ॥ २२ ॥

anvīkṣetātmano bandhaṁ

mokṣaṁ ca jñāna-niṣṭhayā

bandha indriya-vikṣepo

mokṣa eṣāṁ ca saṁyamaḥ

Translation

By steady knowledge a sage should clearly ascertain the nature of the soul’s bondage and liberation. Bondage occurs when the senses are deviated to sense gratification, and complete control of the senses constitutes liberation.

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.

Sense Control Through Steady Service

  1. 1

    Through steady knowledge, the sage should carefully understand the soul's bondage and liberation. Understanding one's eternal nature protects one from material bondage.

  2. 2

    Bondage occurs when the senses turn toward sense gratification. They draw one into the false consciousness of being a material enjoyer.

  3. 3

    Constant engagement in service to the Absolute Truth brings liberation. Steady sense control gives relief from the harassment of material sense gratification.

Key points from the purport
  • By carefully understanding one’s eternal nature, one will not again be bound up in the shackles of material energy, and by constant engagement in the service of the Absolute Truth, one is liberated.
  • Then the flickering material senses can no longer drag one into the false consciousness of being a material enjoyer.
  • Such steady sense control gives one relief from the harassment of material sense gratification.

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:

In this way he should always be mindful that hankering for sense gratification is bondage and that engaging the objects of the senses in the service of Lord Mādhava is liberation.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.18
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. anvīkṣetaone should see by careful study
  2. ātmanaḥof the soul
  3. bandhamthe bondage
  4. mokṣamthe liberation
  5. caalso
  6. jñānain knowledge
  7. niṣṭhayāby steadiness
  8. bandhaḥbondage
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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 11.18

    In this verse: “knowledge”, “absolute truth”, “understand”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 11.18

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

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 11.18

    In this verse: “protects”

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

Which sense most often draws me into thinking of myself as a material enjoyer?

Practice

When one urge for sense gratification arises today, pause and choose a small act of devotional service instead.

Live this todaySense Control Through Steady 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 11.18.22? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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