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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 26: The Aila-gītā
11.26.2111.26.23

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.26.22

Mukti· Liberation
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

अथापि नोपसज्जेत स्‍त्रीषु स्‍त्रैणेषु चार्थवित् ।

विषयेन्द्रियसंयोगान्मन: क्षुभ्यति नान्यथा ॥ २२ ॥

athāpi nopasajjeta

strīṣu straiṇeṣu cārtha-vit

viṣayendriya-saṁyogān

manaḥ kṣubhyati nānyathā

Translation

Yet even one who theoretically understands the actual nature of the body should never associate with women or with men attached to women. After all, the contact of the senses with their objects inevitably agitates the mind.

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.

Knowledge Alone Does Not Protect the Mind

  1. 1

    Even theoretical understanding of the body's actual nature does not make one safe from mental agitation.

  2. 2

    The verse warns against association with women or with men attached to women.

  3. 3

    Contact between the senses and their objects inevitably agitates the mind. Understanding must therefore be accompanied by restraint.

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:

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. After declaring these facts, King Purūravā, now freed from the illusion of material existence, attained realization of the Supreme Lord in His form as the indwelling Supersoul.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.26
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. atha apiyet therefore
  2. na upasajjetahe should never make contact
  3. strīṣuwith women
  4. straiṇeṣuwith men who are attached to women
  5. caor
  6. artha-vitone who knows what is best for him
  7. viṣayaof the objects of enjoyment
  8. indriyawith the senses
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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 11.26

    In this verse: “understands”, “understanding”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “attached”

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 11.26

    In this verse: “safe”

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

Where do I rely on knowledge while still exposing my senses to what agitates my mind?

Practice

Avoid one unnecessary encounter with sensory material that you know stirs attachment.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKnowledge Alone Does Not Protect the MindThis 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 11.26.22? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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