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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 27: Lord Kṛṣṇa’s Instructions on the Process of Deity Worship
11.26.3511.27.2

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.27.1

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Uddhavasince 11.27.1inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Kṛṣṇa → Uddhava

श्रीउद्धव उवाच

क्रियायोगं समाचक्ष्व भवदाराधनं प्रभो ।

यस्मात्त्वां ये यथार्चन्ति सात्वता: सात्वतर्षभ ॥ १ ॥

śrī-uddhava uvāca

kriyā-yogaṁ samācakṣva

bhavad-ārādhanaṁ prabho

yasmāt tvāṁ ye yathārcanti

sātvatāḥ sātvatarṣabha

Translation

Śrī Uddhava said: My dear Lord, O master of the devotees, please explain to me the prescribed method of worshiping You in Your Deity form. What are the qualifications of those devotees who worship the Deity, on what basis is such worship established, and what is the specific method of worship?

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.

Authorized Deity Worship Cleanses the Heart

  1. 1

    Alongside their prescribed duties, devotees engage in regulated worship of the Lord in His Deity form in the temple.

  2. 2

    Such worship powerfully cleanses the heart of the desire to enjoy the material body and the material family attachment arising from that desire.

  3. 3

    Deity worship must follow the authorized method to be effective. Uddhava therefore asks the Lord about its basis, the worshiper’s qualifications and the method.

Key points from the purport
  • In addition to performing their prescribed duties, devotees of the Lord engage in regulated worship of the Lord in His Deity form in the temple.
  • To be effective, however, the process of Deity worship must be performed in the authorized way.
  • Therefore Uddhava now inquires from the Lord about this subject.

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 27: Lord Kṛṣṇa’s Instructions on the Process of Deity Worship

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Worshiping the Deity form of the Supreme Lord automatically brings purity and satisfaction to the mind. Thus it is the source of all desirable gains.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.27
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śrī-uddhavaḥ uvācaŚrī Uddhava said
  2. kriyā-yogamthe prescribed method of activity
  3. samācakṣvaplease explain
  4. bhavatof You
  5. ārādhanamthe Deity worship
  6. prabhoO Lord
  7. yasmātbased on what kind of form
  8. tvāmYou
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 11.27

    In this verse: “devotees”, “worshiping”, “worship”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 11.27

    In this verse: “attachment”, “material”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 11.27

    In this verse: “duties”

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 learn the authorized method rather than worship only according to my own preferences?

Practice

Write down one question you have about the authorized method of Deity worship.

Live this todayAuthorized Deity Worship Cleanses the HeartThis 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 11.27.1? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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