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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.
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Canto 11 · Chapter 20: Pure Devotional Service Surpasses Knowledge and Detachment
11.20.2211.20.24

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.20.23

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

निर्विण्णस्य विरक्तस्य पुरुषस्योक्तवेदिन: ।

मनस्त्यजति दौरात्म्यं चिन्तितस्यानुचिन्तया ॥ २३ ॥

nirviṇṇasya viraktasya

puruṣasyokta-vedinaḥ

manas tyajati daurātmyaṁ

cintitasyānucintayā

Translation

When a person is disgusted with the temporary, illusory nature of this world and is thus detached from it, his mind, guided by the instructions of his spiritual master, considers again and again the nature of this world and eventually gives up the false identification with matter.

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.

Perseverance Frees the Mind From Illusion

  1. 1

    Although controlling the mind is difficult, constant practice can spiritualize it in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. A sincere disciple repeatedly remembers the spiritual master’s instructions.

  2. 2

    These instructions help one face the truth that the material world is not the ultimate reality. Through detachment and perseverance, the mind gradually gives up its tendency toward sense gratification.

  3. 3

    As illusion loses its grip, the purified mind gives up false identification with the material body and mind. Its attention turns to the spiritual platform, the perfection of the yoga system.

Key points from the purport
  • A sincere disciple constantly remembers the instructions of his spiritual master and thereby faces again and again the stark truth that the material world is not the ultimate reality.
  • By detachment and perseverance the mind gradually gives up its propensity toward sense gratification; thus illusion loses its grip on a sincere Kṛṣṇa conscious devotee.
  • Gradually the purified mind completely gives up the false identification with this world and transfers its attention to the spiritual platform.

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:

One who has a sense of detachment and renunciation can give up false identification with the body and other sense objects by constantly studying the instructions of his spiritual master. By the yoga practice of yama, niyama and so forth, by cultivation of transcendental knowledge and by worship of and meditation upon the Supreme Personality of Godhead, one can remember the Supersoul.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.20
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. nirviṇṇasyaof one who is disgusted with the illusory nature of the material world
  2. viraktasyaand who is therefore detached
  3. puruṣasyaof such a person
  4. ukta-vedinaḥwho is guided by the instructions of his spiritual master
  5. manaḥthe mind
  6. tyajatigives up
  7. daurātmyamthe false identification with the material body and mind
  8. cintitasyaof that which is contemplated
  9. anucintayāby constant analysis
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

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

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

    In this verse: “detached”, “detachment”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 11.20

    In this verse: “illusion”, “sense gratification”, “material”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 11.20

    In this verse: “purified”

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 instruction of my spiritual master can help me loosen my identification with the material body and mind?

Practice

Review one instruction from your spiritual master and pause today to apply it when a desire for sense gratification arises.

Live this todayPerseverance Frees the Mind From IllusionThis 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 11.20.23? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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