1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 11 · General History · 31 chapters

12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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
11.23.4011.23.42

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.23.41

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

परिभूत इमां गाथामगायत नराधमै: ।

पातयद्भ‍ि: स्व धर्मस्थो धृतिमास्थाय सात्त्विकीम् ॥ ४१ ॥

paribhūta imāṁ gāthām

agāyata narādhamaiḥ

pātayadbhiḥ sva dharma-stho

dhṛtim āsthāya sāttvikīm

Translation

Even while being insulted by these low-class men who were trying to effect his downfall, he remained steady in his spiritual duties. Fixing his resolution in the mode of goodness, he began to chant the following song.

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.

Remain Steady in Devotional Service

  1. 1

    Although others insulted him and tried to cause his downfall, the brāhmaṇa remained steady in his spiritual duties and began to sing.

  2. 2

    Determination in goodness is sustained by steadfast yoga practice and controls the mind, life and activities of the senses.

  3. 3

    Devotees remain tolerant when attacks or mockery disturb their service to the Supreme Lord. Sobriety includes tolerating the urges of speech, mind, anger, tongue, belly and genitals.

Key points from the purport
  • Resolution in the mode of goodness is described in Bhagavad-gītā (18.33):
  • Atheists who are envious of the devotees of the Supreme Lord are called narādhamas, or the lowest of men, and undoubtedly are enroute to hell.
  • The devotees, however, remain tolerant, fixing their determination in the mode of goodness.

The purport's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 1

The purport of SB 11.23.41 quotesBG 18.33

Resolution in the mode of goodness is described in Bhagavad-gītā (18.33): “O son of Pṛthā, that determination which is unbreakable, which is sustained with steadfastness by yoga practice, and thus controls the mind, life and the acts of the senses, is in the mode of goodness.”

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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:

He remained fixed in his chosen spiritual practice and sang a song renowned as the Bhikṣu-gīta. Neither mortal persons, the demigods, the soul, the ruling planets, the reactions of work nor time are the causes of one’s happiness and distress.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.23
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. paribhūtaḥinsulted
  2. imāmthis
  3. gāthāmsong
  4. agāyatahe sang
  5. nara-adhamaiḥby low-class men
  6. pātayadbhiḥwho were trying to make him fall down
  7. sva-dharmain his own duty
  8. sthaḥremaining firm
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

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 11.23

    In this verse: “chant”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 11.23

    In this verse: “duties”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 11.23

    In this verse: “devotees”

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 urge most often disturbs my steadiness in devotional service?

Practice

When an urge to speak angrily arises today, pause rather than follow it, and return to your devotional duty.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRemain Steady in Devotional 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 11.23.41? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories