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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
11.18.311.18.5

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.18.4

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

ग्रीष्मे तप्येत पञ्चाग्नीन् वर्षास्वासारषाड्‍जले ।

आकण्ठमग्न: शिशिर एवंवृत्तस्तपश्चरेत् ॥ ४ ॥

grīṣme tapyeta pañcāgnīn

varṣāsv āsāra-ṣāḍ jale

ākaṇtha-magnaḥ śiśira

evaṁ vṛttas tapaś caret

Translation

Thus engaged as a vānaprastha, one should execute penance during the hottest summer days by subjecting oneself to burning fires on four sides and the blazing sun overhead; during the rainy season one should remain outside, subjecting oneself to torrents of rain; and in the freezing winter one should remain submerged in water up to one’s neck.

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.

Worship Matters More Than Severe Penance

  1. 1

    The verse describes severe seasonal penances involving fire, rain and freezing water.

  2. 2

    The purport explains that one given to sense gratification must perform severe penances to counteract sinful activities. A devotee naturally develops Kṛṣṇa consciousness and need not undertake such radical penances.

  3. 3

    Severe penance is no substitute for properly worshiping the Lord. The essential concern is realizing Śrī Kṛṣṇa within and without everything.

Key points from the purport
  • One who engages in sense gratification must perform severe penances at the end of life to counteract his sinful, hedonistic activities.
  • And if one is not properly worshiping the Lord, what is the use of severe penances?
  • And if Śrī Kṛṣṇa is not seen within and without everything, then what is the use of severe penances?”

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:

During the rainy season he should stand in the midst of the downpour of rain, and during the cold winter he should submerge himself in water up to his neck. He is absolutely forbidden to clean his teeth, to store food that he has collected at one time to eat at another time, and to worship the Supreme Lord with the flesh of animals.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.18
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. grīṣmein the summer
  2. tapyetaone should accept as austerity
  3. pañca-agnīnfive fires (the overhead sun and fires burning on four sides)
  4. varṣāsuduring the rainy season
  5. āsāratorrents of rain
  6. ṣāṭtolerating
  7. jalein water
  8. ā-kaṇṭhaup to the neck
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 11.18

    In this verse: “devotee”, “worshiping”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

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

    In this verse: “sinful”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “sense gratification”

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

Am I giving more importance to outward hardship or to sincerely worshiping the Lord?

Practice

Set aside a quiet moment to worship Śrī Kṛṣṇa rather than seeking a difficult bodily penance.

Live this todayWorship Matters More Than Severe PenanceThis 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 11.18.4? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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