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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 11.19.18

Who is speaking and story frame

कर्मणां परिणामित्वादाविरिञ्च्यादमङ्गलम् ।

विपश्चिन्नश्वरं पश्येदद‍ृष्टमपि द‍ृष्टवत् ॥ १८ ॥

karmaṇāṁ pariṇāmitvād

ā-viriñcyād amaṅgalam

vipaścin naśvaraṁ paśyed

adṛṣṭam api dṛṣṭa-vat

Translation

An intelligent person should see that any material activity is subject to constant transformation and that even on the planet of Lord Brahmā there is thus simply unhappiness. Indeed, a wise man can understand that just as all that he has seen is temporary, similarly, all things within the universe have a beginning and an end.

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.

Material Heaven Cannot Give Lasting Happiness

  1. 1

    Every material activity is subject to transformation. A wise person understands that everything within the universe has a beginning and an end.

  2. 2

    The heavenly life described in Vedic literature is temporary, just like the material conditions we directly experience.

  3. 3

    Lord Kṛṣṇa states that even on Lord Brahmā’s planet there is unhappiness. Higher planetary systems still contain rivalry, envy, irritation, lamentation and death.

Key points from the purport
  • The word adṛṣṭam indicates the heavenly standard of life available in the higher planets within this universe.
  • Lord Kṛṣṇa here states, however, that even on the planet of Lord Brahmā, which is superior to the heavenly planets, there is no happiness whatsoever.
  • Even in the upper planetary systems there is rivalry, envy, irritation, lamentation and ultimately death itself.

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 19: The Perfection of Spiritual Knowledge

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

The Supreme Lord, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, stated to Uddhava, “One who is actually wise, who knows the truth of the self and possesses transcendental insight, rejects this world of dualities and the so-called knowledge meant for facilitating enjoyment of it. He instead engages himself in trying to satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the master of all.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.19
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. karmaṇāmof material activities
  2. pariṇāmitvātbecause of being subject to transformation
  3. āup to
  4. viriñcyātthe planet of Lord Brahmā
  5. amaṅgalaminauspicious unhappiness
  6. vipaścitan intelligent person
  7. naśvaramas temporary
  8. paśyetshould see
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 11.19

    In this verse: “understand”, “understands”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 11.19

    In this verse: “material”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 11.19

    In this verse: “death”

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 imagining that a better material situation would free me from all unhappiness?

Practice

Write down one material improvement you long for, and note why it would still be subject to change.

Live this todayMaterial Heaven Cannot Give Lasting HappinessThis 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 11.19.18? Get an answer from the verses themselves.