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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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.23.49

Who is speaking and story frame

देहं मनोमात्रमिमं गृहीत्वा

ममाहमित्यन्धधियो मनुष्या: ।

एषोऽहमन्योऽयमिति भ्रमेण

दुरन्तपारे तमसि भ्रमन्ति ॥ ४९ ॥

dehaṁ mano-mātram imaṁ gṛhītvā

mamāham ity andha-dhiyo manuṣyāḥ

eṣo ’ham anyo ’yam iti bhrameṇa

duranta-pāre tamasi bhramanti

Translation

Persons who identify with this body, which is simply the product of the material mind, are blinded in their intelligence, thinking in terms of “I” and “mine.” Because of their illusion of “this is I, but that is someone else,” they wander in endless darkness.

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.

Bodily Identification Blinds Our Intelligence

  1. 1

    The material body is described as a product of the material mind.

  2. 2

    Those who identify with the body become blinded in intelligence through thoughts of “I” and “mine.”

  3. 3

    The illusion of “this is I, but that is someone else” keeps them wandering in darkness.

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:

Rather, the mind alone is their cause, because it is the mind that makes the spirit soul wander in the cycle of material life. The real purpose of all charity, religiosity and so forth is to bring the mind under control.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.23
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. dehamthe material body
  2. manaḥ-mātramcoming simply from the mind
  3. imamthis
  4. gṛhītvāhaving accepted
  5. mamamine
  6. ahamI
  7. itithus
  8. andhablinded
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “illusion”, “material”

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

Where are thoughts of “I” and “mine” narrowing my understanding?

Practice

Notice one possessive thought today and reflect on how it depends on identifying yourself with the body.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayBodily Identification Blinds Our IntelligenceThis 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 11.23.49? Get an answer from the verses themselves.