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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 23: The Song of the Avantī Brāhmaṇa
11.23.1211.23.14

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.23.13

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Kṛṣṇasince 11.23.2inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Kṛṣṇa → Uddhava

तस्यैवं ध्यायतो दीर्घं नष्टरायस्तपस्विन: ।

खिद्यतो बाष्पकण्ठस्य निर्वेद: सुमहानभूत् ॥ १३ ॥

tasyaivaṁ dhyāyato dīrghaṁ

naṣṭa-rāyas tapasvinaḥ

khidyato bāṣpa-kaṇṭhasya

nirvedaḥ su-mahān abhūt

Translation

Having lost all his wealth, he felt great pain and lamentation. His throat choked up with tears, and he meditated for a long time on his fortune. Then a powerful feeling of renunciation came over him.

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.

Previous Purity Awakens Again

  1. 1

    After losing all his wealth, the brāhmaṇa suffered deeply and reflected for a long time, his throat choked with tears.

  2. 2

    He had previously been trained in pious life, but his offensive behavior had covered that goodness.

  3. 3

    His previous purity finally reawakened, and a powerful feeling of renunciation arose within him.

Key points from the purport
  • The brāhmaṇa had previously been trained in pious life, but his past goodness was covered by his offensive behavior.
  • Finally, his previous purity was reawakened within him.

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 23: The Song of the Avantī Brāhmaṇa

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Finding himself without any property and abandoned by everyone, the brāhmaṇa developed a deep sense of renunciation. He considered how the earning and preservation of wealth involve great effort, fear, anxiety and confusion.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.23
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tasyaof him
  2. evamthus
  3. dhyāyataḥthinking
  4. dīrghamfor a long time
  5. naṣṭa-rāyaḥhis wealth lost
  6. tapasvinaḥexperiencing agony
  7. khidyataḥlamenting
  8. bāṣpa-kaṇṭhasyahis throat choked with tears
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 11.23

    In this verse: “wealth”

  • Viraha · Longing in separation

    Love and remembrance experienced in apparent absence. · Theme in SB 11.23

    In this verse: “lamentation”

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

Is there a good spiritual habit I have allowed to become covered by my behavior?

Practice

Resume one small practice from your earlier training in pious life.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayPrevious Purity Awakens AgainThis 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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