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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
11.27.2111.27.23

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.27.22

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

पाद्यार्घ्याचमनीयार्थं त्रीणि पात्राणि देशिक: ।

हृदा शीर्ष्णाथ शिखया गायत्र्या चाभिमन्त्रयेत् ॥ २२ ॥

pādyārghyācamanīyārthaṁ

trīṇi pātrāṇi deśikaḥ

hṛdā śīrṣṇātha śikhayā

gāyatryā cābhimantrayet

Translation

The worshiper should then purify those three vessels. He should sanctify the vessel holding water for washing the Lord’s feet by chanting hṛdayāya namaḥ, the vessel containing water for arghya by chanting śirase svāhā, and the vessel containing water for washing the Lord’s mouth by chanting śikhāyai vaṣaṭ. Also, the Gāyatrī mantra should be chanted for all three vessels.

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.

Sanctify Each Vessel With Its Mantra

  1. 1

    The vessel holding water for washing the Lord’s feet should be sanctified by chanting hṛdayāya namaḥ.

  2. 2

    The arghya vessel should be sanctified with śirase svāhā, and the vessel for washing the Lord’s mouth with śikhāyai vaṣaṭ.

  3. 3

    The Gāyatrī mantra should also be chanted for all three vessels. Each vessel is thus purified for its part in the Lord’s worship.

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:

Then he should present clothing and ornaments, sprinkle water on the vessels and other paraphernalia to be used in the worship, and offer water for bathing the Deity’s feet, arghya, water for washing His mouth, fragrant oils, incense, lamps, flowers and food preparations. After this, one should worship the Lord’s personal servants and bodyguards, His consort energies, and the spiritual masters by chanting their respective mūla-mantras.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.27
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. pādyaof the water offered to the Lord for bathing His feet
  2. arghyathe water offered to the Lord as a token of respectful greeting
  3. ācamanīyaand the water offered to the Lord for washing His mouth
  4. arthamplaced there for the purpose
  5. trīṇithree
  6. pātrāṇithe vessels
  7. deśikaḥthe worshiper
  8. hṛdāby the “heart” mantra
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: “worshiper”, “worship”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

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

    In this verse: “purify”, “purified”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 11.27

    In this verse: “chanting”

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 can I give each preparation for the Lord’s worship my full attention?

Practice

Review the three vessels and their corresponding mantras today, carefully matching each one.

Live this todaySanctify Each Vessel With Its MantraThis 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 11.27.22? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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