1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 11 · General History · 31 chapters

12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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 19: The Perfection of Spiritual Knowledge
11.19.611.19.8

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.19.7

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Supreme Personality of Godheadsince 11.19.1inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Kṛṣṇa → Uddhava

त्वय्युद्धवाश्रयति यस्‍त्रिविधो विकारो

मायान्तरापतति नाद्यपवर्गयोर्यत् ।

जन्मादयोऽस्य यदमी तव तस्य किं स्यु-

राद्यन्तयोर्यदसतोऽस्ति तदेव मध्ये ॥ ७ ॥

tvayy uddhavāśrayati yas tri-vidho vikāro

māyāntarāpatati nādy-apavargayor yat

janmādayo ’sya yad amī tava tasya kiṁ syur

ādy-antayor yad asato ’sti tad eva madhye

Translation

My dear Uddhava, the material body and mind, composed of the three modes of material nature, attach themselves to you, but they are actually illusion, since they appear only at the present, having no original or ultimate existence. How is it possible, therefore, that the various stages of the body, namely birth, growth, reproduction, maintenance, dwindling and death, can have any relation to your eternal self? These phases relate only to the material body, which previously did not exist and ultimately will not exist. The body exists merely at the present moment.

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.

You Are Not the Changing Body

  1. 1

    The material body and mind are composed of the three modes of material nature and exist only temporarily. They are not your eternal self.

  2. 2

    Illusion means falsely identifying one thing with another, as when a rope is mistaken for a snake. Identifying yourself as the material body or mind creates such illusion.

  3. 3

    Birth, growth, reproduction, maintenance, dwindling and death belong to the body, not the eternal self. Bodily and social labels should not be accepted as your permanent identity.

Key points from the purport
  • Such perception is māyā, or illusion, although the rope actually exists and a snake also exists in another place.
  • The material body exists briefly and then disappears.
  • If we falsely identify ourselves as the material body or mind, we are creating an illusion.

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. tvayiin you
  2. uddhavaO Uddhava
  3. āśrayatienters and remains
  4. yaḥwhich
  5. tri-vidhaḥin three divisions, according to the modes of nature
  6. vikāraḥ(the material body and mind, which are subject to) constant transformation
  7. māyāillusion
  8. antarāduring the present
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “attach”, “illusion”, “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

Which temporary bodily or social label do I most often treat as my permanent identity?

Practice

Notice one label you apply to yourself today and remind yourself that it does not define your eternal self.

Live this todayYou Are Not the Changing BodyThis 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 11.19.7? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories