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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
11.21.811.21.10

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.21.9

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
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

कर्मण्यो गुणवान् कालो द्रव्यत: स्वत एव वा ।

यतो निवर्तते कर्म स दोषोऽकर्मक: स्मृत: ॥ ९ ॥

karmaṇyo guṇavān kālo

dravyataḥ svata eva vā

yato nivartate karma

sa doṣo ’karmakaḥ smṛtaḥ

Translation

A specific time is considered pure when it is appropriate, either by its own nature or through achievement of suitable paraphernalia, for the performance of one’s prescribed duty. That time which impedes the performance of one’s duty is considered impure.

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.

The Most Auspicious Time Is Divine Association

  1. 1

    A time is pure when it supports the performance of prescribed duty. Times that obstruct religious duties are considered inauspicious.

  2. 2

    The brāhma-muhūrta, the last few hours before sunrise, is always auspicious for spiritual advancement. Other times become favorable when suitable resources help one fulfill life's mission.

  3. 3

    The most auspicious moment is when one receives the mercy or association of the Supreme Lord or His pure devotee. Kṛṣṇa consciousness is life's perfection and transcends the material dualities of time and space.

Key points from the purport
  • Having discussed pure and impure places, the Lord now discusses different qualities of time.
  • She cannot perform ordinary religious activities at such times, which are therefore inauspicious and impure.
  • Therefore that moment in which one achieves the association of the Supreme Lord or the Lord’s pure devotee is the most auspicious time, whereas the moment of losing such association is most inauspicious.

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:

In connection with time, there are distinctions of purity and impurity either in terms of the time itself or in terms of its specific relation with various objects. In connection with physical substances, distinctions of purity and impurity are made in terms of sanctification of objects and words and by such activities as bathing, giving charity, performing austere penances and remembering the Supreme Lord.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.21
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. karmaṇyaḥsuitable for executing one’s prescribed duty
  2. guṇavānpure
  3. kālaḥtime
  4. dravyataḥby achievement of auspicious objects
  5. svataḥby its own nature
  6. evaindeed
  7. vāor
  8. yataḥdue to which (time)
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

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

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

    In this verse: “duty”, “religious”, “duties”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 11.21

    In this verse: “mercy”, “favorable”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 11.21

    In this verse: “devotee”

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 using favorable moments for loving service, or letting sense gratification carry me away?

Practice

Set aside a brief time today for loving service to the Lord rather than sense gratification.

Live this todayThe Most Auspicious Time Is Divine AssociationThis 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 11.21.9? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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