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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
11.25.3511.26.1

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.25.36

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

जीवो जीवविनिर्मुक्तो गुणैश्चाशयसम्भवै: ।

मयैव ब्रह्मणा पूर्णो न बहिर्नान्तरश्चरेत् ॥ ३६ ॥

jīvo jīva-vinirmukto

guṇaiś cāśaya-sambhavaiḥ

mayaiva brahmaṇā pūrṇo

na bahir nāntaraś caret

Translation

Freed from the subtle conditioning of the mind and from the modes of nature born of material consciousness, the living entity becomes completely satisfied by experiencing My transcendental form. He no longer searches for enjoyment in the external energy, nor does he contemplate or remember such enjoyment within himself.

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.

Find Full Satisfaction in Kṛṣṇa

  1. 1

    Freed from subtle mental conditioning and the modes of nature, the living entity becomes completely satisfied by experiencing the Lord’s transcendental form. He no longer seeks external enjoyment or dwells on it within himself.

  2. 2

    Human life is a rare opportunity to achieve spiritual liberation in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Kṛṣṇa consciousness is transcendental to the three modes of nature.

  3. 3

    Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu has ordered us to take shelter of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s holy name. Through this process, we can easily transcend the modes and begin our real life of loving devotional service to Lord Kṛṣṇa.

Key points from the purport
  • The human form of life is a rare opportunity for achieving spiritual liberation in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
  • Lord Kṛṣṇa has elaborately described in this chapter the characteristics of the three modes of nature and the transcendental situation of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
  • Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu has ordered us to take shelter of the holy name of Lord Kṛṣṇa, by which process we can easily transcend the modes of nature and begin our real life of loving devotional service to Lord Kṛṣṇa.

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. jīvaḥthe living entity
  2. jīva-vinirmuktaḥfreed from the subtle conditioning of material consciousness
  3. guṇaiḥfrom the modes of nature
  4. caand
  5. āśaya-sambhavaiḥwhich have manifested in his own mind
  6. mayāby Me
  7. evaindeed
  8. brahmaṇāby the Supreme Absolute Truth
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”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotional service”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 11.25

    In this verse: “holy name”

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 use this rare human life to take greater shelter of Kṛṣṇa’s holy name?

Practice

Spend a few quiet minutes today chanting Lord Kṛṣṇa’s holy name with attention.

Live this todayFind Full Satisfaction in 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.

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