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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 22: Enumeration of the Elements of Material Creation
11.22.5611.22.58-59

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.22.57

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

तस्मादुद्धव मा भुङ्‍क्ष्व विषयानसदिन्द्रियै: ।

आत्माग्रहणनिर्भातं पश्य वैकल्पिकं भ्रमम् ॥ ५७ ॥

tasmād uddhava mā bhuṅkṣva

viṣayān asad-indriyaiḥ

ātmāgrahaṇa-nirbhātaṁ

paśya vaikalpikaṁ bhramam

Translation

Therefore, O Uddhava, do not try to enjoy sense gratification with the material senses. See how illusion based on material dualities prevents one from realizing the self.

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.

Everything Is Meant for the Lord’s Service

  1. 1

    Everything that exists is the potency and property of the Supreme Lord. It is meant to be used in His loving service.

  2. 2

    Seeing objects as separate from the Lord and meant for one’s own enjoyment is the illusion of material duality. Seeking the finest objects for personal pleasure brings constant anxiety.

  3. 3

    Recognizing everything as meant for the Lord’s pleasure brings satisfaction in His loving service. One cannot exploit His property and at the same time advance in self-realization.

Key points from the purport
  • Everything that exists is the potency and property of the Supreme Lord, meant to be used in His loving service.
  • Seeing material objects as separate from the Lord and thus meant to be possessed and enjoyed by oneself is called vaikalpikaṁ bhramam, the illusion of material duality.
  • If one realizes everything as the property of the Lord, however, he will see everything as meant for the Lord’s pleasure.

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:

Therefore the living being has no actual need for sense gratificatory pleasures. With the exception of those peaceful personalities who have taken shelter of the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and are dedicated to the divine duty of His service, everyone, including so-called learned scholars, is inevitably overcome by the all-powerful material nature.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.22
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tasmāttherefore
  2. uddhavaMy dear Uddhava
  3. mā bhuṅkṣvado not enjoy
  4. viṣayānthe objects of sense gratification
  5. asatimpure
  6. indriyaiḥwith senses
  7. ātmaof the self
  8. agrahaṇainability to realize
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 11.22

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

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 do I regard as mine to enjoy rather than the Lord’s property to serve Him with?

Practice

Choose one thing you use today and use it consciously in the Lord’s service rather than merely for personal enjoyment.

Live this todayEverything Is Meant for the Lord’s ServiceThis 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 11.22.57? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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