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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
11.23.4411.23.46

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.23.45

Mukti· Liberation
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

दानं स्वधर्मो नियमो यमश्च

श्रुतं च कर्माणि च सद्‍व्रतानि ।

सर्वे मनोनिग्रहलक्षणान्ता:

परो हि योगो मनस: समाधि: ॥ ४५ ॥

dānaṁ sva-dharmo niyamo yamaś ca

śrutaṁ ca karmāṇi ca sad-vratāni

sarve mano-nigraha-lakṣaṇāntāḥ

paro hi yogo manasaḥ samādhiḥ

Translation

Charity, prescribed duties, observance of major and minor regulative principles, hearing from scripture, pious works and purifying vows all have as their final aim the subduing of the mind. Indeed, concentration of the mind on the Supreme is the highest yoga.

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.

Spiritual Practices Aim to Subdue the Mind

  1. 1

    Charity and prescribed duties have the subduing of the mind as their final aim.

  2. 2

    Regulative principles, hearing scripture, pious works and purifying vows share this same purpose.

  3. 3

    Concentration of the mind on the Supreme is the highest yoga. Spiritual practice should lead toward this concentration.

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 real purpose of all charity, religiosity and so forth is to bring the mind under control. A person who has already composed his mind in meditation has no need for these other processes, and for a person who is incapable of fixing his mind they are of no practical use.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.23
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. dānamgiving of charity
  2. sva-dharmaḥcarrying out one’s prescribed duties
  3. niyamaḥthe regulations of day-to-day life
  4. yamaḥthe major regulations of spiritual practice
  5. caand
  6. śrutamlistening to scripture
  7. caand
  8. karmāṇipious work
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

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

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

    In this verse: “duties”, “principles”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

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

    In this verse: “hearing”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 11.23

    In this verse: “purifying”

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 spiritual practices to help my mind concentrate on the Supreme?

Practice

Read a short passage of scripture today, gently bringing your attention back whenever the mind wanders.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySpiritual Practices Aim to Subdue the MindThis 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 11.23.45? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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