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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
11.22.58-5911.22.61

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.22.60

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Uddhavasince 11.22.60inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Kṛṣṇa → Uddhava

श्रीउद्धव उवाच

यथैवमनुबुध्येयं वद नो वदतां वर ॥ ६० ॥

śrī-uddhava uvāca

yathaivam anubudhyeyaṁ

vada no vadatāṁ vara

Translation

Śrī Uddhava said: O best of all speakers, please explain to me how I may properly understand this.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

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.

Ask for Proper Understanding

  1. 1

    Śrī Uddhava asks for further explanation so that he may properly understand. His request focuses on understanding the instruction clearly.

  2. 2

    He addresses the Lord as the best of all speakers. His words express respect for the One from whom he seeks instruction.

  3. 3

    Rather than claiming that he already understands, Śrī Uddhava asks how he may do so. His question provides a simple example of receptive inquiry.

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. śrī-uddhavaḥ uvācaŚrī Uddhava said
  2. yathāhow
  3. evamthus
  4. anubudhyeyamI may properly understand
  5. vadaplease speak
  6. naḥto us
  7. vadatāmof all speakers
  8. varaO You who are the best
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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 11.22

    In this verse: “understand”, “inquiry”

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 part of the Lord’s instruction do I need to understand more clearly?

Practice

Write down one sincere question about an instruction you find difficult to understand.

Live this todayAsk for Proper UnderstandingThis 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 11.22.60? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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