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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
11.27.1311.27.15

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.27.14

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Supreme Personality of Godheadsince 11.27.6inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Kṛṣṇa → Uddhava

अस्थिरायां विकल्प: स्यात् स्थण्डिले तु भवेद् द्वयम् ।

स्‍नपनं त्वविलेप्यायामन्यत्र परिमार्जनम् ॥ १४ ॥

asthirāyāṁ vikalpaḥ syāt

sthaṇḍile tu bhaved dvayam

snapanaṁ tv avilepyāyām

anyatra parimārjanam

Translation

The Deity that is temporarily established can optionally be called forth and sent away, but these two rituals should always be performed when the Deity is traced upon the ground. Bathing should be done with water except if the Deity is made of clay, paint or wood, in which cases a thorough cleansing without water is enjoined.

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.

Loving Service Deepens Our Eternal Relationship

  1. 1

    Calling forth and sending away are optional for a temporarily established Deity, but required for a Deity traced on the ground. Clay, painted and wooden Deities should be thoroughly cleansed without water.

  2. 2

    The śālagrāma-śilā is automatically installed and must not be called forth or asked to leave. A pure devotee understands the relationship with the Deity to be eternal.

  3. 3

    Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Person, possessing His own unique feelings. Loving devotional service to His Deity form pleases Him and gradually leads the devotee back to His personal abode.

Key points from the purport
  • Various classes of devotees worship the Deity of the Personality of Godhead according to their various stages of faith in the Lord.
  • Understanding Lord Kṛṣṇa to be the eternal form of bliss and knowledge, a faithful devotee makes a permanent arrangement for Deity worship, installing the Lord’s form made of, for example, stone, wood or marble.
  • The general principle is that a pure devotee of the Lord understands his relationship with the Deity to be eternal.

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:

The Deity form to be worshiped may be constructed of any one of eight substances — stone, wood, metal, clay, paint, sand (drawn upon the ground), the mind or jewels. These categories are further subdivided into two: temporary and permanent.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.27
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. asthirāyāmin the case of the temporarily installed Deity
  2. vikalpaḥan option (as to whether the Deity is to be called and sent away)
  3. syātthere is
  4. sthaṇḍilein the case of the Deity traced upon the ground
  5. tubut
  6. bhavetdo occur
  7. dvayamthese two rituals
  8. snapanamthe bathing
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

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 11.27

    In this verse: “cleansing”, “cleansed”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotional service”, “devotee”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 11.27

    In this verse: “understands”

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

How does knowing that Kṛṣṇa has His own feelings change my approach to worship?

Practice

During worship today, consciously focus on pleasing the Lord rather than merely completing the actions.

Live this todayLoving Service Deepens Our Eternal RelationshipThis 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 11.27.14? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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