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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.
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Canto 11 · Chapter 18: Description of Varṇāśrama-dharma
11.18.2211.18.24

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.18.23

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

तस्मान्नियम्य षड्‍वर्गं मद्भ‍ावेन चरेन्मुनि: ।

विरक्त: क्षुद्रकामेभ्यो लब्ध्वात्मनि सुखं महत् ॥ २३ ॥

tasmān niyamya ṣaḍ-vargaṁ

mad-bhāvena caren muniḥ

viraktaḥ kṣudra-kāmebhyo

labdhvātmani sukhaṁ mahat

Translation

Therefore, completely controlling the five senses and the mind by Kṛṣṇa consciousness, a sage, having experienced spiritual bliss within the self, should live detached from insignificant material sense gratification.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

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.

Find Spiritual Happiness in Kṛṣṇa Consciousness

  1. 1

    The sage should fully control the five senses and the mind. The means given here is Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

  2. 2

    The sage experiences great spiritual happiness within the self. This happiness is contrasted with insignificant material sense gratification.

  3. 3

    Having experienced spiritual bliss, the sage should live detached from material pleasures. Inner spiritual happiness supports this detached life.

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:

He is a devotee of the Supreme Lord, detached from external sense gratification and completely free from desire for even such subtle gratificatory goals as liberation. He is expert in discrimination and, just like a simple child, is free from concepts of pride and insult.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.18
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tasmāttherefore
  2. niyamyacompletely controlling
  3. ṣaṭ-vargamthe six senses (sight, hearing, smell, touch, taste and the mind)
  4. mat-bhāvenaby consciousness of Me
  5. caretshould live
  6. muniḥthe sage
  7. viraktaḥdetached
  8. kṣudrainsignificant
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

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

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 11.18

    In this verse: “detached”

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 could I give more attention to Kṛṣṇa consciousness rather than a passing material pleasure?

Practice

Set aside one brief period today to turn your mind toward Kṛṣṇa instead of seeking sensory entertainment.

Live this todayFind Spiritual Happiness in Kṛṣṇa ConsciousnessThis 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 11.18.23? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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