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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
11.20.1411.20.16

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.20.15

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

छिद्यमानं यमैरेतै: कृतनीडं वनस्पतिम् ।

खग: स्वकेतमुत्सृज्य क्षेमं याति ह्यलम्पट: ॥ १५ ॥

chidyamānaṁ yamair etaiḥ

kṛta-nīḍaṁ vanaspatim

khagaḥ sva-ketam utsṛjya

kṣemaṁ yāti hy alampaṭaḥ

Translation

Without attachment, a bird gives up the tree in which his nest was constructed when that tree is cut down by cruel men who are like death personified, and thus the bird achieves happiness in another place.

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.

Learn Detachment From the Bird

  1. 1

    The living entity resides within the body as a bird dwells within a tree. This example teaches detachment from the bodily concept of life.

  2. 2

    When cruel men cut down its tree, the bird gives up the nest without attachment.

  3. 3

    Rather than lamenting its former nest, the bird moves elsewhere and finds happiness. It does not hesitate to leave its threatened home.

Key points from the purport
  • Here the example is given of detachment from the bodily concept of life.
  • The living entity resides within the body just as a bird dwells within a tree.
  • When thoughtless men cut down the tree, the bird, without lamenting the loss of its previous nest, does not hesitate to establish its residence in another place.

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 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. chidyamānambeing cut down
  2. yamaiḥby cruel men, who are like death personified
  3. etaiḥby these
  4. kṛta-nīḍamin which he has constructed his nest
  5. vanaspatima tree
  6. khagaḥa bird
  7. sva-ketamhis home
  8. utsṛjyagiving up
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: “attachment”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

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

    In this verse: “death”

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 11.20

    In this verse: “detachment”

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 the bird's example challenge my attachment to the body?

Practice

Reflect for one minute on the distinction between the living entity and the body, using the bird and tree example.

Live this todayLearn Detachment From the BirdThis 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 11.20.15? Get an answer from the verses themselves.