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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 21: Lord Kṛṣṇa’s Explanation of the Vedic Path
11.21.29-3011.21.32

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.21.31

Ūti· What drives us to act
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

स्वप्नोपमममुं लोकमसन्तं श्रवणप्रियम् ।

आशिषो हृदि सङ्कल्प्य त्यजन्त्यर्थान् यथा वणिक् ॥ ३१ ॥

svapnopamam amuṁ lokam

asantaṁ śravaṇa-priyam

āśiṣo hṛdi saṅkalpya

tyajanty arthān yathā vaṇik

Translation

Just as a foolish businessman gives up his real wealth in useless business speculation, foolish persons give up all that is actually valuable in life and instead pursue promotion to material heaven, which although pleasing to hear about is actually unreal, like a dream. Such bewildered persons imagine within their hearts that they will achieve all material blessings.

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.

Do Not Trade Spiritual Wealth for Dreams

  1. 1

    People work hard for perfect sense gratification in this life or the next. Yet material heavenly enjoyment is like a dream, however pleasing it sounds.

  2. 2

    As eternal living beings, we are part and parcel of Lord Kṛṣṇa. In His association, we are naturally endowed with bliss and knowledge.

  3. 3

    Pursuing bodily happiness at the expense of spiritual life is like squandering real wealth on imaginary business ventures. Such pursuits deliver no real profit.

Key points from the purport
  • All over the world people are working hard to achieve perfect sense gratification in this life or the next.
  • As eternal living beings, part and parcel of Lord Kṛṣṇa, we are naturally endowed with all bliss and knowledge in the association of the Lord.
  • But giving up this exalted position of spiritual bliss and knowledge, we foolishly waste our time pursuing the phantasmagoria of bodily happiness, just like a foolish businessman who squanders his real assets in imaginary business ventures that deliver no real profit.

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:

Work performed for sense gratification is not actually beneficial. The descriptions of such fruitive benefits offered in various phala-śrutis are actually meant to help one gradually cultivate a taste for the highest benefit.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.21
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. svapnaa dream
  2. upamamequal to
  3. amumthat
  4. lokamworld (after death)
  5. asantamunreal
  6. śravaṇa-priyamonly enchanting to hear about
  7. āśiṣaḥmundane achievements in this life
  8. hṛdiin their hearts
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

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

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 11.21

    In this verse: “give up”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 11.21

    In this verse: “blessings”

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

What dream of material happiness is taking time away from my relationship with Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Set aside one minute usually spent imagining material success to reflect on the value of association with Kṛṣṇa.

Live this todayDo Not Trade Spiritual Wealth for DreamsThis 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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