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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 20: Pure Devotional Service Surpasses Knowledge and Detachment
11.20.1311.20.15

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.20.14

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Supreme Personality of Godheadsince 11.20.6inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Kṛṣṇa → Uddhava

एतद् विद्वान् पुरा मृत्योरभवाय घटेत स: ।

अप्रमत्त इदं ज्ञात्वा मर्त्यमप्यर्थसिद्धिदम् ॥ १४ ॥

etad vidvān purā mṛtyor

abhavāya ghaṭeta saḥ

apramatta idaṁ jñātvā

martyam apy artha-siddhi-dam

Translation

A wise person, knowing that although the material body is subject to death it can still award the perfection of one’s life, should not foolishly neglect to take advantage of this opportunity before death arrives.

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.

Use This Life Before Death Arrives

  1. 1

    The material body is subject to death. A wise person recognizes that this opportunity will not last forever.

  2. 2

    Although temporary, the body can still help one attain life's perfection.

  3. 3

    One should act before death arrives rather than foolishly neglect this opportunity. Human life should be used for spiritual perfection.

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 20: Pure Devotional Service Surpasses Knowledge and Detachment

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

The human body, even though it awards the whole purpose of existence in the form of knowledge and devotion, is ephemeral; therefore one who is discriminating should soberly strive for liberation before death comes. The human body is like a boat, Śrī Gurudeva is the helmsman, and the mercy of the Supreme Lord is the favorable breeze.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.20
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. etatthis
  2. vidvānknowing
  3. purābefore
  4. mṛtyoḥdeath
  5. abhavāyato transcend material existence
  6. ghaṭetashould act
  7. saḥhe
  8. apramattaḥwithout laziness or foolishness
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 11.20

    In this verse: “material”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 11.20

    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

What spiritual effort am I postponing as though I had unlimited time?

Practice

Give five minutes today to a spiritual practice you have been postponing.

Live this todayUse This Life Before Death ArrivesThis 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 11.20.14? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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