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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
11.20.3611.21.1

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.20.37

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

एवमेतान् मया दिष्टाननुतिष्ठन्ति मे पथ: ।

क्षेमं विन्दन्ति मत्स्थानं यद् ब्रह्म परमं विदु: ॥ ३७ ॥

evam etān mayā diṣṭān

anutiṣṭhanti me pathaḥ

kṣemaṁ vindanti mat-sthānaṁ

yad brahma paramaṁ viduḥ

Translation

Persons who seriously follow these methods of achieving Me, which I have personally taught, attain freedom from illusion, and upon reaching My personal abode they perfectly understand the Absolute Truth.

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.

Follow the Lord’s Teachings to Freedom

  1. 1

    The Lord personally teaches the methods by which one can attain Him. These teachings are meant to be seriously followed.

  2. 2

    Those who follow His instructions attain freedom from illusion. The path leads to the Lord Himself and His personal abode.

  3. 3

    Upon reaching the Lord’s abode, they perfectly understand the Absolute Truth. The promised result is direct understanding, not merely speculation.

Key points from the purport
  • Thus end the purports of the humble servants of His Divine Grace A.C.
  • Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda to the Eleventh Canto, Twentieth Chapter, of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, entitled “Pure Devotional Service Surpasses Knowledge and Detachment.”

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:

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 summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.20
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. evamthus
  2. etānthese
  3. mayāby Me
  4. diṣṭāninstructed
  5. anutiṣṭhantithose who follow
  6. meMe
  7. pathaḥthe means of achieving
  8. kṣemamfreedom from illusion
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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 11.20

    In this verse: “absolute truth”, “understand”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “illusion”

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 from the Lord can I follow more seriously today?

Practice

Choose one instruction from this chapter’s teachings on devotional service and put it into practice today.

Live this todayFollow the Lord’s Teachings to FreedomThis 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 11.20.37? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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