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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 26: The Aila-gītā
11.26.1411.26.16

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.26.15

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:King Ailasince 11.26.7inside 4 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Kṛṣṇa → UddhavaKing Aila → himself

पुंश्चल्यापहृतं चित्तं को न्वन्यो मोचितुं प्रभु: ।

आत्मारामेश्वरमृते भगवन्तमधोक्षजम् ॥ १५ ॥

puṁścalyāpahṛtaṁ cittaṁ

ko nv anyo mocituṁ prabhuḥ

ātmārāmeśvaram ṛte

bhagavantam adhokṣajam

Translation

Who but the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who lies beyond material perception and is the Lord of self-satisfied sages, can possibly save my consciousness, which has been stolen by a prostitute?

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.

Only the Supreme Lord Can Rescue Consciousness

  1. 1

    The speaker recognizes that his consciousness has been stolen by attachment to a prostitute. He seeks release from this condition.

  2. 2

    He identifies the Supreme Personality of Godhead as the only one capable of saving his consciousness.

  3. 3

    The Lord lies beyond material perception and is the Lord of self-satisfied sages. The speaker turns toward Him for help.

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 26: The Aila-gītā

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

What is the worth of the education, austerity, renunciation, reception of the Vedas, solitary living and silence of one whose mind becomes stolen away by the body of a woman? Learned men should distrust their six mental enemies, headed by lust, and thus avoid associating with women or with men who are controlled by women.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.26
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. puṁścalyāby a prostitute
  2. apahṛtamstolen
  3. cittamthe intelligence
  4. kaḥwho
  5. nuindeed
  6. anyaḥother person
  7. mocitumto free
  8. prabhuḥis capable
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 11.26

    In this verse: “material”, “attachment”

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 willing to seek the Supreme Lord's help with attachments I cannot overcome?

Practice

Offer a brief prayer to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, asking Him to free your consciousness from consuming attachment.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayOnly the Supreme Lord Can Rescue 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 11.26.15? Get an answer from the verses themselves.