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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
11.18.2411.18.26

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.18.25

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

वानप्रस्थाश्रमपदेष्वभीक्ष्णं भैक्ष्यमाचरेत् ।

संसिध्यत्याश्वसम्मोह: शुद्धसत्त्व: शिलान्धसा ॥ २५ ॥

vānaprasthāśrama-padeṣv

abhīkṣṇaṁ bhaikṣyam ācaret

saṁsidhyaty āśv asammohaḥ

śuddha-sattvaḥ śilāndhasā

Translation

One in the vānaprastha order of life should always practice taking charity from others, for one is thereby freed from illusion and quickly becomes perfect in spiritual life. Indeed, one who subsists on food grains obtained in such a humble manner purifies his existence.

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.

Humble Dependence Purifies One's Life

  1. 1

    One in the vānaprastha order should practice accepting charity for food. This humble dependence frees one from illusion and purifies one's existence.

  2. 2

    A saintly beggar is engaged in authorized devotional service to the Supreme Lord and accepts only bare necessities. This is different from lazily living at others' expense.

  3. 3

    Begging teaches humility by requiring one to offer respect to others. Simple eating also controls the tongue, which helps pacify the other senses.

Key points from the purport
  • This process is not theoretical but actually purifies one’s existence by forcing one to offer respect to all others.
  • Unless one offers respect to others, one’s begging will be fruitless.
  • A vānaprastha should never give up the purifying process of begging for his food, and ordinary people should not foolishly equate a lazy bum living at the cost of others with a saintly beggar engaged in higher duties for the Supreme Lord.

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:

The process of accepting sannyāsa involves worshiping the Lord with sacrifice, giving everything one possesses in charity to the priests and establishing within one’s own heart the various sacrificial fires. For a sannyāsī, association with women or even the sight of women is more undesirable than taking poison.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.18
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. vānaprastha-āśramaof the vānaprastha order of life
  2. padeṣuin the position
  3. abhīkṣṇamalways
  4. bhaikṣyambegging
  5. ācaretone should perform
  6. saṁsidhyatione becomes spiritually perfect
  7. āśuquickly
  8. asammohaḥfree from illusion
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

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 11.18

    In this verse: “humble”, “humility”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 11.18

    In this verse: “purifies”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “illusion”

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 can I accept what I need with greater humility and respect for others?

Practice

Eat a simple meal today, without seeking extra luxury for the tongue.

Live this todayHumble Dependence Purifies One's LifeThis 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 11.18.25? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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