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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

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
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

11.20.34 11.20.36

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.20.35

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

नैरपेक्ष्यं परं प्राहुर्नि:श्रेयसमनल्पकम् ।

तस्मान्निराशिषो भक्तिर्निरपेक्षस्य मे भवेत् ॥ ३५ ॥

nairapekṣyaṁ paraṁ prāhur

niḥśreyasam analpakam

tasmān nirāśiṣo bhaktir

nirapekṣasya me bhavet

Translation

It is said that complete detachment is the highest stage of freedom. Therefore, one who has no personal desire and does not pursue personal rewards can achieve loving devotional service unto Me.

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.

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Take Shelter Without Seeking Personal Rewards

1
Freedom from personal desire and the pursuit of rewards is the highest stage of freedom. Such detachment allows loving devotional service to the Lord to arise.
2
Hearing, chanting and other practices of unmixed bhakti-yoga are open to everyone, regardless of inner motive. Even those full of material desires should worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
3
Lord Kṛṣṇa is the reservoir of all pleasure, and only He within our heart can fulfill our real desire. Simple faith in taking His shelter carries even a fallen person through the difficulties of this age.

Key points from the purport

Still we must understand that simply by taking shelter of Lord Kṛṣṇa we will achieve everything in life.
One must accept that Lord Kṛṣṇa is the reservoir of all pleasure and that only Lord Kṛṣṇa within our heart can fulfill our real desire.
This simple faith that one will achieve everything by approaching Lord Kṛṣṇa is the essence of all knowledge and carries even a fallen person over the painful hurdles of this difficult age.

The purport's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 1

The purport of SB 11.20.35 quotesSB 2.3.10

As stated in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (2.3.10): “A person who has broader intelligence, whether he be full of all material desire, without any material desire or desiring liberation, must by all means worship the supreme whole, the Personality of Godhead.”

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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

Chapter 20: Pure Devotional Service Surpasses Knowledge and Detachment

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

For this reason the devotees of the Supreme Personality of Godhead do not consider knowledge and renunciation to be the means for achieving the highest benefit. Only in the heart of a person who is devoid of material desire and disinterested in material things can devotional service to the Lord arise.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in chapter 11.20

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

nairapekṣyamnot desiring anything except devotional service
paramthe best
prāhuḥit is said
niḥśreyasamhighest stage of liberation
analpakamgreat
tasmāttherefore
nirāśiṣaḥof one who does not seek personal rewards
bhaktiḥloving devotional service

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 11.20
In this verse: “devotional service”, “bhakti-yoga”, “worship”
Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment
Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 11.20
In this verse: “detachment”
Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting
Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 11.20
In this verse: “chanting”, “hearing”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Can I take shelter of Kṛṣṇa now, even while recognizing the material desires in my heart?

Practice

Set aside five minutes for hearing or chanting, approaching Lord Kṛṣṇa for shelter rather than personal rewards.

Live this todayTake Shelter Without Seeking Personal RewardsThis 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.

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