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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
11.18.2511.18.27

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.18.26

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

नैतद् वस्तुतया पश्येद् द‍ृश्यमानं विनश्यति ।

असक्तचित्तो विरमेदिहामुत्र चिकीर्षितात् ॥ २६ ॥

naitad vastutayā paśyed

dṛśyamānaṁ vinaśyati

asakta-citto viramed

ihāmutra-cikīrṣitāt

Translation

One should never see as ultimate reality those material things which obviously will perish. With consciousness free from material attachment, one should retire from all activities meant for material progress in this life and the next.

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.

Perishable Things Are Not Ultimate Reality

  1. 1

    Material objects should never be regarded as ultimate reality. Their eventual destruction is evident.

  2. 2

    Even sumptuous food and the material body are perishable. Their temporary appeal does not make them an enduring foundation for life.

  3. 3

    One should become free from material attachment and withdraw from programs of material advancement in this life and the next. Such programs merely improve the quality of one's illusion.

Key points from the purport
  • One may doubt how a gentleman can retire from family life and live as a beggar, eating meager foodstuffs.
  • The Lord here responds by stating that sumptuous or palatable foods — along with all other material objects, such as the body itself — should never be seen as ultimate reality, since they are obviously perishable items.
  • One should retire from material programs destined to enhance the quality of one’s illusion both in this life and the next.

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:

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. nanever
  2. etatthis
  3. vastutayāas ultimate reality
  4. paśyetone should see
  5. dṛśyamānambeing observed by direct experience
  6. vinaśyatiis destroyed
  7. asaktawithout attachment
  8. cittaḥwhose consciousness
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: “attachment”, “material”, “illusion”

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

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

    In this verse: “free from”

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

What perishable comfort am I treating as though it were an enduring source of fulfillment?

Practice

Before pursuing one unnecessary luxury today, pause to consider its temporary nature and choose to go without it.

Live this todayPerishable Things Are Not Ultimate RealityThis 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 11.18.26? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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