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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
11.23.3111.23.33

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.23.32

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Kṛṣṇasince 11.23.31inside 4 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Kṛṣṇa → UddhavaThe Avantī brāhmaṇa → himself

स चचार महीमेतां संयतात्मेन्द्रियानिल: ।

भिक्षार्थं नगरग्रामानसङ्गोऽलक्षितोऽविशत् ॥ ३२ ॥

sa cacāra mahīm etāṁ

saṁyatātmendriyānilaḥ

bhikṣārthaṁ nagara-grāmān

asaṅgo ’lakṣito ’viśat

Translation

He wandered about the earth, keeping his intelligence, senses and life air under control. To beg charity he traveled alone to various cities and villages. He did not advertise his advanced spiritual position and thus was not recognized by others.

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.

Serve the Lord Without Seeking Recognition

  1. 1

    The brāhmaṇa wandered alone with his intelligence, senses and life air controlled. He did not advertise his advanced spiritual position.

  2. 2

    The three rods of the Vaiṣṇava sannyāsī’s staff indicate control of body, mind and words by engaging them only in loving service to the Lord.

  3. 3

    Such control strengthens tolerance, forgiveness and freedom from false pride. Following the strict path of Kṛṣṇa consciousness leads to shelter of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Key points from the purport
  • According to Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura, the acceptance of the tridaṇḍi-sannyāsa order of life is the chief indication that one has actually taken shelter of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
  • By strict control of one’s body, mind and speech, the quality of tolerance becomes strengthened, and thus one manifests the further qualities of forgiving others, never wasting one’s time, detachment from sense gratification, lack of false pride in one’s work and not hankering for liberation.
  • One who adopts the strict path of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, following in the footsteps of great souls, can achieve the shelter 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:

Subsequently, he would enter different villages to beg charity, but the people would harass and disturb him. But he simply tolerated all this, remaining firm as a mountain.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.23
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. saḥhe
  2. cacārawandered
  3. mahīmthe earth
  4. etāmthis
  5. saṁyatacontrolled
  6. ātmahis consciousness
  7. indriyasenses
  8. anilaḥand vital air
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

  • Dainya · Humility

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

    In this verse: “pride”

  • Śaraṇāgati · Wholehearted surrender

    Relinquishing ownership while entrusting oneself to the Lord. · Theme in SB 11.23

    In this verse: “shelter”

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

How could I serve the Lord without seeking recognition?

Practice

Do one small act of service to Kṛṣṇa today without telling others about it.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayServe the Lord Without Seeking RecognitionThis 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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