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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
11.18.4511.18.47

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.18.46

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

इति स्वधर्मनिर्णिक्तसत्त्वो निर्ज्ञातमद्गति: ।

ज्ञानविज्ञानसम्पन्नो नचिरात् समुपैति माम् ॥ ४६ ॥

iti sva-dharma-nirṇikta-

sattvo nirjñāta-mad-gatiḥ

jñāna-vijñāna-sampanno

na cirāt samupaiti mām

Translation

Thus, one who has purified his existence by execution of his prescribed duties, who fully understands My supreme position and who is endowed with scriptural and realized knowledge, very soon achieves Me.

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.

Purified Duty and Knowledge Lead to Kṛṣṇa

  1. 1

    Performing one's prescribed duties purifies one's existence.

  2. 2

    Along with this purification, one should fully understand the Lord's supreme position. Both scriptural knowledge and realized knowledge are needed.

  3. 3

    One endowed with these qualities very soon achieves the Lord. The aim is to reach Him, not merely to complete duties or gather knowledge.

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 followers of the karma-kāṇḍa section of the Vedas can attain the planets of the forefathers and so on by their ritualistic activities, but if they become endowed with devotion for the Supreme Lord, then by these same activities they can achieve the supreme stage of liberation.
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. sva-dharmaby performing his prescribed duty
  3. nirṇiktahaving purified
  4. sattvaḥhis existence
  5. nirjñātacompletely understanding
  6. mat-gatiḥMy supreme position
  7. jñānawith knowledge of the scriptures
  8. vijñānaand realized knowledge of the soul
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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 11.18

    In this verse: “knowledge”, “understands”, “understand”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

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

    In this verse: “purified”, “purifies”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

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

    In this verse: “duties”

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 your understanding of the Lord inform the way you perform your duties?

Practice

Before one prescribed duty today, reread this translation and remember that purification and reaching the Lord are its purpose.

Live this todayPurified Duty and Knowledge Lead 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 11.18.46? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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