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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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Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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
11.26.2411.26.26

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.26.25

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Supreme Personality of Godheadsince 11.26.25inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Kṛṣṇa → Uddhava

श्रीभगवानुवाच

एवं प्रगायन् नृपदेवदेव:

स उर्वशीलोकमथो विहाय ।

आत्मानमात्मन्यवगम्य मां वै

उपारमज्ज्ञानविधूतमोह: ॥ २५ ॥

śrī-bhagavān uvāca

evaṁ pragāyan nṛpa-deva-devaḥ

sa urvaśī-lokam atho vihāya

ātmānam ātmany avagamya māṁ vai

upāramaj jñāna-vidhūta-mohaḥ

Translation

The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: Having thus chanted this song, Mahārāja Purūravā, eminent among the demigods and human beings, gave up the position he had achieved in the planet of Urvaśī. His illusion cleansed away by transcendental knowledge, he understood Me to be the Supreme Soul within his heart and so at last achieved peace.

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.

Realizing the Supreme Soul Brings Peace

  1. 1

    After singing this song, Mahārāja Purūravā gave up the position he had achieved in the planet of Urvaśī.

  2. 2

    Transcendental knowledge cleansed away his illusion. His eminent position among demigods and human beings was not his final shelter.

  3. 3

    He understood the Supreme Personality of Godhead to be the Supreme Soul within his heart. Through this realization, he at last achieved peace.

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:

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. In conclusion, one who is intelligent should give up bad association and let himself become attracted to the company of saintly persons.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.26
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śrī-bhagavān uvācathe Supreme Personality of Godhead said
  2. evamin this way
  3. pragāyansinging
  4. nṛpaamong men
  5. devaand among demigods
  6. devaḥwho was eminent
  7. saḥhe, King Purūravā
  8. urvaśī-lokamthe planet of Urvaśī, Gandharvaloka
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

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 11.26

    In this verse: “chanted”

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 11.26

    In this verse: “gave up”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “knowledge”

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 seeking peace mainly through my position, or through understanding the Lord within my heart?

Practice

Reread the translation slowly and spend a quiet minute reflecting on the Supreme Soul within your heart.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRealizing the Supreme Soul Brings PeaceThis 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 11.26.25? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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