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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 25: The Three Modes of Nature and Beyond
11.25.911.25.11

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.25.10

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Supreme Personality of Godheadsince 11.25.1inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Kṛṣṇa → Uddhava

यदा भजति मां भक्त्या निरपेक्ष: स्वकर्मभि: ।

तं सत्त्वप्रकृतिं विद्यात् पुरुषं स्‍त्रियमेव वा ॥ १० ॥

yadā bhajati māṁ bhaktyā

nirapekṣaḥ sva-karmabhiḥ

taṁ sattva-prakṛtiṁ vidyāt

puruṣaṁ striyam eva vā

Translation

Any person, whether man or woman, who worships Me with loving devotion, offering his or her prescribed duties unto Me without material attachment, is understood to be situated in goodness.

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.

Offer Duties With Loving Devotion

  1. 1

    A person can worship the Lord with loving devotion by offering prescribed duties to Him.

  2. 2

    When these duties are offered without material attachment, the worshiper is understood to be situated in goodness.

  3. 3

    This teaching applies equally to men and women.

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 25: The Three Modes of Nature and Beyond

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

A person whose character is in the mode of goodness worships Lord Hari in a spirit of devotion, without regard to profit. On the other hand, one who hankers after the fruits of his worship of the Lord is passionate by nature.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.25
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yadāwhen
  2. bhajatia person worships
  3. māmMe
  4. bhaktyāwith devotion
  5. nirapekṣaḥindifferent to results
  6. sva-karmabhiḥby his own prescribed duties
  7. tamhim
  8. sattva-prakṛtima person whose nature is in the mode of goodness
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 11.25

    In this verse: “devotion”, “worships”, “worship”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 11.25

    In this verse: “attachment”, “material”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 11.25

    In this verse: “duties”

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 duty could you offer to the Lord with less attachment to personal gain?

Practice

Before performing one duty today, consciously offer it to the Lord with loving devotion rather than a desire for material reward.

Live this todayOffer Duties With Loving DevotionThis 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 11.25.10? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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