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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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.21.17

Who is speaking and story frame

समानकर्माचरणं पतितानां न पातकम् ।

औत्पत्तिको गुण: सङ्गो न शयान: पतत्यध: ॥ १७ ॥

samāna-karmācaraṇaṁ

patitānāṁ na pātakam

autpattiko guṇaḥ saṅgo

na śayānaḥ pataty adhaḥ

Translation

The same activities that would degrade an elevated person do not cause falldown for those who are already fallen. Indeed, one who is lying on the ground cannot possibly fall further. The material association that is dictated by one’s own nature is considered a good quality.

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.

Spiritual Commitment Requires Steady Standards

  1. 1

    The same activity may degrade an elevated person without causing further falldown for someone already fallen. Material piety and sin are therefore relative to one's position.

  2. 2

    The purport distinguishes the duties of a renounced sannyāsī from those of a householder. Association with one's wife for procreation at the suitable time is prescribed for the householder, not the sannyāsī.

  3. 3

    Anyone initiated into chanting the Lord's holy names must follow four principles: no eating meat, fish or eggs, no illicit sex, no intoxication and no gambling. Neglecting these principles causes a spiritually initiated person to fall from an elevated position.

Key points from the purport
  • The Lord here further describes the ambiguity in ascertaining material piety and sin.
  • Piety and sin on the material level are thus relative considerations.
  • A spiritually initiated person neglecting these principles will certainly fall from his elevated position of liberation.

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

Striving → Complete devotional trust. The Lord redirects Uddhava toward enduring loving service.

Chapters 21–29 of Canto 11: Spiritual practice culminating in bhakti-yoga. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 21: Lord Kṛṣṇa’s Explanation of the Vedic Path

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

When one’s knowledge of mantras is received from the lips of the bona fide spiritual master, one’s mantra is considered pure, and one’s work is purified by offering it unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead. If the six factors of place, time and so forth are purified, then there is dharma, or virtue, but otherwise there is adharma, or fault.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.21
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. samānaequal
  2. karmaof work
  3. ācaraṇamthe performance
  4. patitānāmfor those who are fallen
  5. nais not
  6. pātakama cause of falldown
  7. autpattikaḥdictated by one’s nature
  8. guṇaḥbecomes a good quality
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 11.21

    In this verse: “material”, “householder”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 11.21

    In this verse: “duties”, “principles”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 11.21

    In this verse: “chanting”

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

Am I honoring my spiritual commitments rather than comparing myself with someone else's standards?

Practice

Review the four regulative principles and identify one concrete choice today that helps you honor them.

Live this todaySpiritual Commitment Requires Steady StandardsThis 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 11.21.17? Get an answer from the verses themselves.