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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 25: The Three Modes of Nature and Beyond
11.25.1411.25.16

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.25.15

Ūti· What drives us to act
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 जयेद् रज: सत्त्वं तमो मूढं लयं जडम् ।

युज्येत शोकमोहाभ्यां निद्रयाहिंसयाशया ॥ १५ ॥

yadā jayed rajaḥ sattvaṁ

tamo mūḍhaṁ layaṁ jaḍam

yujyeta śoka-mohābhyāṁ

nidrayā hiṁsayāśayā

Translation

When the mode of ignorance conquers passion and goodness, it covers one’s consciousness and makes one foolish and dull. Falling into lamentation and illusion, a person in the mode of ignorance sleeps excessively, indulges in false hopes, and displays violence toward others.

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.

Ignorance Covers Consciousness

  1. 1

    When ignorance overcomes passion and goodness, it covers consciousness and makes a person foolish and dull.

  2. 2

    Lamentation and illusion accompany this condition, along with excessive sleep and false hopes.

  3. 3

    Violence toward others is also a symptom of the mode of ignorance.

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:

And one who desires violence is in the mode of ignorance. These modes of goodness, passion and ignorance are present in the infinitesimal living entity, whereas the Supreme Personality of Godhead is transcendental to the three modes of material 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. jayetconquers
  3. rajaḥ sattvamthe modes of passion and goodness
  4. tamaḥthe mode of darkness
  5. mūḍhamdefeating one’s discrimination
  6. layamcovering over consciousness
  7. jaḍamdevoid of endeavor
  8. yujyetaone becomes endowed
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 11.25

    In this verse: “illusion”

  • Viraha · Longing in separation

    Love and remembrance experienced in apparent absence. · Theme in SB 11.25

    In this verse: “lamentation”

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 holding on to a false hope that keeps me in illusion?

Practice

Examine one hope today and honestly ask whether it rests on illusion.

Live this todayIgnorance Covers ConsciousnessThis 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 11.25.15? Get an answer from the verses themselves.