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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 22: Enumeration of the Elements of Material Creation
11.22.4711.22.49

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.22.48

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Kṛṣṇasince 11.22.37inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Kṛṣṇa → Uddhava

एता मनोरथमयीर्हान्यस्योच्चावचास्तनू: ।

गुणसङ्गादुपादत्ते क्व‍‍चित् कश्चिज्जहाति च ॥ ४८ ॥

etā manoratha-mayīr

hānyasyoccāvacās tanūḥ

guṇa-saṅgād upādatte

kvacit kaścij jahāti ca

Translation

Although the material body is different from the self, because of the ignorance due to material association one falsely identifies oneself with the superior and inferior bodily conditions. Sometimes a fortunate person is able to give up such mental concoction.

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 Lord’s Mercy Frees Bodily Identification

  1. 1

    The material body is different from the self. Ignorance arising from material association makes one identify with superior and inferior bodily conditions.

  2. 2

    Such bodily identification is a mental concoction. A fortunate person can give it up through the special mercy of the Supreme Lord.

  3. 3

    There is always a chance of escaping the cycle of birth and death. The Lord’s mercy makes freedom from false bodily identity possible.

Key points from the purport
  • One who has received the special mercy of the Supreme Lord is able to give up the mental concoction of bodily identification.
  • Thus there is always a chance of escaping the cycle of birth and death.

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 22: Enumeration of the Elements of Material Creation

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

From the death of one’s father and the birth of one’s son, a person can easily comprehend the rise and fall of his own body. The soul, who is the perceiver, is different from this body.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.22
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. etāḥthese
  2. manaḥ-rathaḥ-mayīḥachieved by meditation of the mind
  3. hacertainly
  4. anyasyaof the body (who is separate from the self)
  5. uccagreater
  6. avacāḥand lesser
  7. tanūḥbodily conditions
  8. guṇa-saṅgātbecause of associating with the modes of nature
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

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 11.22

    In this verse: “give up”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 11.22

    In this verse: “material”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 11.22

    In this verse: “death”

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 bodily condition do I most often mistake for my true identity?

Practice

Offer a brief prayer to the Supreme Lord for mercy to give up false bodily identification.

Live this todayThe Lord’s Mercy Frees Bodily IdentificationThis 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 11.22.48? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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