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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
11.23.2111.23.23

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.23.22

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The brāhmaṇasince 11.23.14inside 4 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Kṛṣṇa → UddhavaThe Avantī brāhmaṇa → himself

लब्ध्वा जन्मामरप्रार्थ्यं मानुष्यं तद्द्विजाग्र्‍यताम् ।

तदनाद‍ृत्य ये स्वार्थं घ्नन्ति यान्त्यशुभां गतिम् ॥ २२ ॥

labdhvā janmāmara-prārthyaṁ

mānuṣyaṁ tad dvijāgryatām

tad anādṛtya ye svārthaṁ

ghnanti yānty aśubhāṁ gatim

Translation

Those who obtain human life, which is prayed for even by the demigods, and in that human birth become situated as first-class brāhmaṇas, are extremely fortunate. If they disregard this important opportunity, they are certainly killing their own self-interest and thus achieve a most unfortunate end.

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.

Use Human Life for Loving Service

  1. 1

    Human birth is especially valuable because it allows us to deeply consider our ultimate benefit. Even the demigods pray for this opportunity.

  2. 2

    A brāhmaṇa’s special qualification is spiritual knowledge: every living entity is an eternal servant of the Lord. This understanding brings humility, tolerance and respect for others.

  3. 3

    Neglecting Kṛṣṇa consciousness, the loving service of the Lord, destroys our own true self-interest. Working merely for prestige and sense gratification wastes this precious opportunity.

Key points from the purport
  • Human birth is therefore more desirable than even that of the demigods.”
  • Within human life the position of a high-class brāhmaṇa is certainly most desirable.
  • All human beings, and especially the brāhmaṇas, should avoid becoming killers of their own self-interest by neglecting Kṛṣṇa consciousness, the loving service of the Lord.

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:

When this meditation arose in his heart, the brāhmaṇa could understand that the Supreme Lord Śrī Hari had somehow become satisfied with him. He felt that only because the Lord was pleased with him had the apparently unfavorable turn of events in his life occurred.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.23
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. labdhvāhaving attained
  2. janmathe birth
  3. amaraby the demigods
  4. prārthyamprayed for
  5. mānuṣyamhuman
  6. tatand in that
  7. dvija-āgryatāmthe status of being the best of the twice-born
  8. tatthat
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 11.23

    In this verse: “knowledge”, “understanding”

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 11.23

    In this verse: “humility”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 11.23

    In this verse: “sense gratification”

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 my human life for loving service, or mainly for pleasure and prestige?

Practice

Set aside five minutes today for loving service to Kṛṣṇa rather than an activity done merely for prestige.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayUse Human Life for Loving 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 11.23.22? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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