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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
11.25.3411.25.36

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.25.35

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

सत्त्वं चाभिजयेद् युक्तो नैरपेक्ष्येण शान्तधी: ।

सम्पद्यते गुणैर्मुक्तो जीवो जीवं विहाय माम् ॥ ३५ ॥

sattvaṁ cābhijayed yukto

nairapekṣyeṇa śānta-dhīḥ

sampadyate guṇair mukto

jīvo jīvaṁ vihāya mām

Translation

Then, being fixed in devotional service, the sage should also conquer the material mode of goodness by indifference toward the modes. Thus pacified within his mind, the spirit soul, freed from the modes of nature, gives up the very cause of his conditioned life and attains Me.

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.

Go Beyond Goodness Through Devotional Service

  1. 1

    Being fixed in devotional service, the sage should conquer even the material mode of goodness by becoming indifferent toward the modes.

  2. 2

    Nairapekṣyeṇa means complete detachment from the modes of material nature. Attachment to the Lord’s loving service, which is completely transcendental, removes interest in these modes.

  3. 3

    With his mind pacified and freed from the modes, the spirit soul gives up the very cause of conditioned life and attains the Lord.

Key points from the purport
  • The word nairapekṣyeṇa refers to complete detachment from the modes of material nature.
  • By attachment to the loving service of the Lord, which is completely transcendental, one gives up one’s interest in the modes of nature.

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 25: The Three Modes of Nature and Beyond

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

At that time he becomes entirely liberated from the material modes, gives up his subtle body (the material mind, intelligence and false ego) and attains the association of the Personality of Godhead. By the shattering of his subtle covering, the living entity is able to come face to face with the Supreme Lord and thus achieve absolute fulfillment by His grace.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.25
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. sattvamthe mode of goodness
  2. caalso
  3. abhijayethe should conquer
  4. yuktaḥengaged in devotional service
  5. nairapekṣyeṇaby being indifferent to the modes
  6. śāntapacified
  7. dhīḥwhose intelligence
  8. sampadyatehe achieves
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”, “attachment”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotional service”

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

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

    In this verse: “detachment”, “indifferent”

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

How can I place more importance on loving service to the Lord than on my interest in the material modes?

Practice

Choose one small act of worship today and do it with the intention of lovingly serving the Lord.

Live this todayGo Beyond Goodness Through Devotional ServiceThis 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 11.25.35? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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