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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
11.18.811.18.10

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.18.9

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

एवं चीर्णेन तपसा मुनिर्धमनिसन्तत: ।

मां तपोमयमाराध्य ऋषिलोकादुपैति माम् ॥ ९ ॥

evaṁ cīrṇena tapasā

munir dhamani-santataḥ

māṁ tapo-mayam ārādhya

ṛṣi-lokād upaiti mām

Translation

The saintly vānaprastha, practicing severe penances and accepting only the bare necessities of life, becomes so emaciated that he appears to be mere skin and bones. Thus worshiping Me through severe penances, he goes to the Maharloka planet and then directly achieves 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.

Pure Devotional Service Leads to Kṛṣṇa

  1. 1

    The translation describes a vānaprastha worshiping the Lord through severe penances and accepting only bare necessities. He reaches Maharloka and then achieves the Lord.

  2. 2

    A vānaprastha who develops pure devotional service achieves the Supreme Lord, Kṛṣṇa, during that stage of life. One not completely Kṛṣṇa conscious first goes to Maharloka, also called Ṛṣiloka.

  3. 3

    Strict regulations alone do not bring the perfect liberation of returning to Godhead. One must develop a taste for chanting and hearing the Lord’s glories, gradually awakening pure love of Godhead.

Key points from the purport
  • A vānaprastha who develops pure devotional service achieves the Supreme Lord, Kṛṣṇa, while in the vānaprastha stage of life.
  • One who does not become completely Kṛṣṇa conscious, however, first goes to the planet Maharloka, or Ṛṣiloka, and from there directly achieves Lord Kṛṣṇa.
  • Therefore, on the Maharloka planet the unsuccessful sage gives more attention to chanting and hearing, and thus he gradually develops pure love of Godhead.

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:

If he can maintain those severe practices for the remainder of his life, the vānaprastha will achieve the Tapoloka planet. The fourth quarter of life is meant for sannyāsa.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.18
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. evamthus
  2. cīrṇenaby the practice
  3. tapasāof austerity
  4. muniḥthe saintly vānaprastha
  5. dhamani-santataḥemaciated so much that the veins are visible throughout his body
  6. māmMe
  7. tapaḥ-mayamthe goal of all penance
  8. ārādhyaworshiping
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: “worshiping”, “devotional service”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 11.18

    In this verse: “chanting”, “hearing”

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 11.18

    In this verse: “love”

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 developing a taste for hearing and chanting, rather than merely following rules?

Practice

Spend a few attentive minutes chanting or hearing the glories of Lord Kṛṣṇa.

Live this todayPure Devotional Service Leads 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 11.18.9? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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