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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 11.19.5

Who is speaking and story frame

तस्माज्ज्ञानेन सहितं ज्ञात्वा स्वात्मानमुद्धव ।

ज्ञानविज्ञानसम्पन्नो भज मां भक्तिभावत: ॥ ५ ॥

tasmāj jñānena sahitaṁ

jñātvā svātmānam uddhava

jñāna-vijñāna-sampanno

bhaja māṁ bhakti-bhāvataḥ

Translation

Therefore, My dear Uddhava, through knowledge you should understand your actual self. Then, advancing by clear realization of Vedic knowledge, you should worship Me in the mood of loving devotion.

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.

Know Yourself and Worship With Love

  1. 1

    Kṛṣṇa instructs Uddhava to understand his actual self through knowledge. This understanding should lead to worship in loving devotion.

  2. 2

    Vijñāna here indicates realized knowledge of one’s original spiritual form. Every living entity has an eternal spiritual form that lies dormant until original Kṛṣṇa consciousness awakens.

  3. 3

    Knowledge of one’s spiritual personality is necessary for cultivating love of the Supreme Personality, Lord Kṛṣṇa. The living entity realizes full personal potential in the kingdom of God.

Key points from the purport
  • The word vijñāna indicates realized knowledge of one’s original, spiritual form.
  • Every living entity has an eternal spiritual form, which lies dormant until one arouses one’s original Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
  • Therefore, the words jñātvā svātmānam are significant here, indicating that every living entity can realize his full potential as an individual person only in the kingdom of God.

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. tasmāttherefore
  2. jñānenaknowledge
  3. sahitamwith
  4. jñātvāknowing
  5. sva-ātmānamyour own self
  6. uddhavaMy dear Uddhava
  7. jñānain Vedic knowledge
  8. vijñānaand clear realization
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 11.19

    In this verse: “devotion”, “worship”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 11.19

    In this verse: “knowledge”, “understand”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 11.19

    In this verse: “kingdom”

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 does knowing that I have an eternal spiritual identity affect my approach to worship?

Practice

Take a quiet moment today to reflect on your spiritual identity, then offer a brief prayer to Kṛṣṇa with loving intention.

Live this todayKnow Yourself and Worship With LoveThis 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 11.19.5? Get an answer from the verses themselves.