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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 21: Lord Kṛṣṇa’s Explanation of the Vedic Path
11.21.1711.21.19

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.21.18

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Supreme Personality of Godheadsince 11.21.1inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Kṛṣṇa → Uddhava

यतो यतो निवर्तेत विमुच्येत ततस्तत: ।

एष धर्मो नृणां क्षेम: शोकमोहभयापह: ॥ १८ ॥

yato yato nivarteta

vimucyeta tatas tataḥ

eṣa dharmo nṛṇāṁ kṣemaḥ

śoka-moha-bhayāpahaḥ

Translation

By refraining from a particular sinful or materialistic activity, one becomes freed from its bondage. Such renunciation is the basis of religious and auspicious life for human beings and drives away all suffering, illusion and fear.

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.

Real Renunciation Means Offering Our Duties

  1. 1

    False ego makes us think we are the proprietor and enjoyer of our activities. Real renunciation begins by recognizing that Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is their proprietor and enjoyer.

  2. 2

    Prescribed duties performed as offerings to the Supreme Lord free us from material bondage. Sinful activities cannot be offered to Him and must be given up altogether.

  3. 3

    Piety makes life auspicious and frees one from lamentation, illusion and fear. Its purpose is to make us eligible to surrender to the Lord and serve Him with determination.

Key points from the purport
  • Actually, Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Personality of Godhead, is the proprietor and enjoyer of our activities; recognition of this fact in Kṛṣṇa consciousness leads one to real renunciation.
  • Every human being should perform his prescribed duty as an offering to the Supreme Lord.
  • By thorough piety one’s life becomes auspicious and freed from lamentation, illusion and fear, and one can then take to the path of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

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· 2

The purport of SB 11.21.18 quotesCC Antya 6.220

In Caitanya-caritāmṛta (Antya 6.220) it is stated: “Renunciation is the basic principle sustaining the lives of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s devotees.

The purport of SB 11.21.18 quotesBG 7.28

As explained in Bhagavad-gītā (7.28): “Persons who have acted piously in previous lives and in this life, whose sinful actions are completely eradicated and who are freed from the duality of delusion, engage themselves in My service with determination.”

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

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:

Even among objects belonging to the same category, there are different considerations of their purity or impurity in relation to performance of religious duties, worldly transactions, and the maintenance of one’s life. These distinctions are described in various scriptures.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.21
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yataḥ yataḥfrom whatever
  2. nivartetaone desists
  3. vimucyetahe becomes liberated
  4. tataḥ tataḥfrom that
  5. eṣaḥthis
  6. dharmaḥthe system of religion
  7. nṛṇāmfor humans
  8. kṣemaḥthe path of auspiciousness
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 11.21

    In this verse: “illusion”, “materialistic”, “material”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

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

    In this verse: “religious”, “duties”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 11.21

    In this verse: “suffering”

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 duty could I perform as an offering to Kṛṣṇa rather than for my own enjoyment?

Practice

Before doing one necessary duty today, consciously offer that work to Kṛṣṇa.

Live this todayReal Renunciation Means Offering Our DutiesThis 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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