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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.
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Canto 11 · Chapter 24: The Philosophy of Sāṅkhya
11.24.22-2711.24.29

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.24.28

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Kṛṣṇasince 11.24.1inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Kṛṣṇa → Uddhava

एवमन्वीक्षमाणस्य कथं वैकल्पिको भ्रमः । मनसो हृदि तिष्ठेत व्योम्नीवार्कोदये तमः ॥ २८ ॥

evam anvīkṣamāṇasya

kathaṁ vaikalpiko bhramaḥ

manaso hṛdi tiṣṭheta

vyomnīvārkodaye tamaḥ

Translation

Just as the rising sun removes the darkness of the sky, similarly, this scientific knowledge of cosmic annihilation removes all illusory duality from the mind of a serious student. Even if illusion somehow enters his heart, it cannot remain there.

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.

Spiritual Knowledge Drives Away Illusion

  1. 1

    Just as the rising sun removes darkness, clear understanding of Lord Kṛṣṇa's teachings to Uddhava removes ignorance concocted by the material mind.

  2. 2

    A serious student who carefully examines this knowledge no longer accepts the material body as the self.

  3. 3

    Even if illusion temporarily enters one's consciousness, it cannot remain. The resurgence of spiritual knowledge drives it away.

Key points from the purport
  • Just as the brilliant sun removes all darkness from the sky, a clear understanding of the knowledge spoken by Lord Kṛṣṇa to Uddhava removes all ignorance concocted by the material mind.
  • One will then no longer accept the material body as the self.
  • Even if such illusion temporarily manifests within one’s consciousness, it will be driven away by the resurgence of one’s spiritual knowledge.

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 24: The Philosophy of Sāṅkhya

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

The mind of a person who meditates on these ideas does not become bewildered by material dualities. This science of Sāṅkhya, narrated in alternating sequences of creation and annihilation, serves to cut off all doubts and bondage.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.24
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. evamin this way
  2. anvīkṣamāṇasyaof one who is carefully examining
  3. kathamhow
  4. vaikalpikaḥbased on duality
  5. bhramaḥillusion
  6. manasaḥof his mind
  7. hṛdiin the heart
  8. tiṣṭhetacan remain
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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 11.24

    In this verse: “knowledge”, “understanding”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 11.24

    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

When do you most readily accept the material body as your self?

Practice

Read this translation once today, then pause to remember that the material body is not the self.

Live this todaySpiritual Knowledge Drives Away IllusionThis 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 11.24.28? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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