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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
11.23.4311.23.45

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.23.44

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The brāhmaṇasince 11.23.42inside 4 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Kṛṣṇa → UddhavaThe Avantī brāhmaṇa → himself

अनीह आत्मा मनसा समीहता

हिरण्मयो मत्सख उद्विचष्टे ।

मन: स्वलिङ्गं परिगृह्य कामान्

जुषन् निबद्धो गुणसङ्गतोऽसौ ॥ ४४ ॥

anīha ātmā manasā samīhatā

hiraṇ-mayo mat-sakha udvicaṣṭe

manaḥ sva-liṅgaṁ parigṛhya kāmān

juṣan nibaddho guṇa-saṅgato ’sau

Translation

Although present along with the struggling mind within the material body, the Supersoul is not endeavoring, because He is already endowed with transcendental enlightenment. Acting as my friend, He simply witnesses from His transcendental position. I, the infinitesimal spirit soul, on the other hand, have embraced this mind, which is the mirror reflecting the image of the material world. Thus I have become engaged in enjoying objects of desire and am entangled due to contact with the modes of nature.

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.

The Supersoul Witnesses as Our Friend

  1. 1

    The Supersoul is present with the struggling mind within the body. Already endowed with transcendental enlightenment, He does not struggle.

  2. 2

    He acts as the soul’s friend and witnesses from His transcendental position.

  3. 3

    The infinitesimal soul embraces the mind, which reflects the material world. Pursuing objects of desire, the soul becomes entangled through contact with the modes of nature.

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:

The false conception of material ego binds the transcendental soul to material sense objects. The Avantī brāhmaṇa therefore became determined to bring himself over the insurmountable ocean of material existence by rendering service to the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord, Mukunda, with the same perfect faith in the Lord exhibited by the great devotees of the past.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.23
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. anīhaḥnot endeavoring
  2. ātmāthe Supreme Soul
  3. manasāalong with the mind
  4. samīhatāwhich is struggling
  5. hiraṇ-mayaḥexhibiting transcendental enlightenment
  6. mat-sakhaḥmy friend
  7. udvicaṣṭelooks down from above
  8. manaḥthe mind
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 11.23

    In this verse: “spirit soul”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 11.23

    In this verse: “friend”

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 does remembering the Supersoul as my witnessing friend change my response to a restless mind?

Practice

Take a quiet moment today to remember the Supersoul’s friendly presence while observing one desire in your mind.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Supersoul Witnesses as Our FriendThis 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 11.23.44? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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