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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
11.26.2311.26.25

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.26.24

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

तस्मात् सङ्गो न कर्तव्य: स्‍त्रीषु स्‍त्रैणेषु चेन्द्रियै: ।

विदुषां चाप्यविस्रब्ध: षड्‍वर्ग: किमु माद‍ृशाम् ॥ २४ ॥

tasmāt saṅgo na kartavyaḥ

strīṣu straiṇeṣu cendriyaiḥ

viduṣāṁ cāpy avisrabdhaḥ

ṣaḍ-vargaḥ kim u mādṛśām

Translation

Therefore one should never let his senses associate freely with women or with men attached to women. Even those who are highly learned cannot trust the six enemies of the mind; what to speak, then, of foolish persons like 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.

Even the Learned Must Remain Watchful

  1. 1

    One should not let the senses associate freely with women or with men attached to women.

  2. 2

    Even highly learned people cannot trust the six enemies of the mind. Learning does not remove the need for restraint.

  3. 3

    The speaker humbly includes himself among foolish persons. His warning leaves no room for confidence that one is beyond temptation.

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. tasmāttherefore
  2. saṅgaḥassociation
  3. na kartavyaḥshould never be made
  4. strīṣuwith women
  5. straiṇeṣuwith men attached to women
  6. caand
  7. indriyaiḥby one’s senses
  8. viduṣāmof wise men
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 11.26

    In this verse: “attached”

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

Do I ever assume that my understanding makes careful restraint unnecessary?

Practice

Choose one clear limit today for a situation in which your senses tend to wander freely.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayEven the Learned Must Remain WatchfulThis 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 11.26.24? Get an answer from the verses themselves.