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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
11.25.2111.25.23

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.25.22

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

सत्त्वे प्रलीना: स्वर्यान्ति नरलोकं रजोलया: ।

तमोलयास्तु निरयं यान्ति मामेव निर्गुणा: ॥ २२ ॥

sattve pralīnāḥ svar yānti

nara-lokaṁ rajo-layāḥ

tamo-layās tu nirayaṁ

yānti mām eva nirguṇāḥ

Translation

Those who leave this world in the mode of goodness go to the heavenly planets, those who pass away in the mode of passion remain in the world of human beings, and those dying in the mode of ignorance must go to hell. But those who are free from the influence of all modes of nature come to Me.

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.

Beyond the Modes, One Reaches Kṛṣṇa

  1. 1

    Those who leave this world in goodness go to the heavenly planets.

  2. 2

    Those who die in passion remain among human beings, while those who die in ignorance go to hell.

  3. 3

    Those free from all the modes come to Kṛṣṇa. The destination beyond the modes is distinct from even the heavenly planets.

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:

After obtaining a human body, which has the potential for developing knowledge and realization, a person who is intelligent should renounce association with the three modes of nature and then worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead. First, by increasing the mode of goodness, one can defeat passion and ignorance.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.25
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. sattvein the mode of goodness
  2. pralīnāḥthose who die
  3. svaḥto heaven
  4. yāntithey go
  5. nara-lokamto the world of human beings
  6. rajaḥ-layāḥthose who die in the mode of passion
  7. tamaḥ-layāḥthose who die in the mode of ignorance
  8. tuand
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

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 11.25

    In this verse: “free from”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 11.25

    In this verse: “dying”

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

Is my aspiration merely a higher material destination, or reaching Kṛṣṇa beyond the modes?

Practice

Spend one minute today reflecting on the difference between going to heaven and reaching Kṛṣṇa.

Live this todayBeyond the Modes, One Reaches KṛṣṇaThis 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 11.25.22? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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