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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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.18.44

Who is speaking and story frame

इति मां य: स्वधर्मेण भजेन् नित्यमनन्यभाक् ।

सर्वभूतेषु मद्भ‍ावो मद्भ‍‍क्तिं विन्दते द‍ृढाम् ॥ ४४ ॥

iti māṁ yaḥ sva-dharmeṇa

bhajen nityam ananya-bhāk

sarva-bhūteṣu mad-bhāvo

mad-bhaktiṁ vindate dṛḍhām

Translation

One who worships Me by his prescribed duty, having no other object of worship, and who remains conscious of Me as present in all living entities, achieves unflinching devotional service unto Me.

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.

Make Every Duty Service to Kṛṣṇa

  1. 1

    Loving devotional service to Lord Kṛṣṇa is the ultimate goal of the entire varṇāśrama system. Whatever one's position, one should worship Him as the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

  2. 2

    The bona fide spiritual master represents Lord Kṛṣṇa. Worship of the ācārya goes directly to the Lord's lotus feet.

  3. 3

    Devotees remember Lord Kṛṣṇa as the Supersoul within everyone and act for His pleasure. Worshiping Him through prescribed duties in this consciousness brings unflinching devotional service and actual liberation.

Key points from the purport
  • It is clearly explained in this verse that loving devotional service unto Lord Kṛṣṇa is the ultimate goal of the entire varṇāśrama system, which the Lord has been elaborately explaining.
  • Although ordinary householders are sometimes ordered by Vedic injunctions to worship particular demigods or forefathers, one should remember that Lord Kṛṣṇa is within all living entities.
  • The pure devotees of the Lord worship the Lord alone, and those who cannot come to the standard of pure devotional service should at least meditate upon the Personality of Godhead within the demigods and all other living entities, understanding that all religious processes are ultimately meant for the pleasure of the 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:

One acquires firm devotion for the Supreme Lord by always rendering service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead through one’s own particular prescribed duty, by not engaging in the worship of any other personalities, and also by thinking of all creatures as the place of residence of the Supreme Personality of Godhead in His form as the Supersoul.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.18
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. itithus
  2. māmMe
  3. yaḥone who
  4. sva-dharmeṇaby his prescribed duty
  5. bhajetworships
  6. nityamalways
  7. ananya-bhākwith no other object of worship
  8. sarva-bhūteṣuin all living entities
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotional service”, “worships”, “devotees”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 11.18

    In this verse: “duty”, “duties”, “varṇāśrama”

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

In which duty could you focus more clearly on pleasing Kṛṣṇa rather than merely pleasing others?

Practice

Choose one duty today and consciously perform it for Lord Kṛṣṇa's pleasure.

Live this todayMake Every Duty Service to KṛṣṇaThis 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 11.18.44? Get an answer from the verses themselves.