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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
11.27.3-411.27.6

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.27.5

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

एतत् कमलपत्राक्ष कर्मबन्धविमोचनम् ।

भक्ताय चानुरक्ताय ब्रूहि विश्वेश्वरेश्वर ॥ ५ ॥

etat kamala-patrākṣa

karma-bandha-vimocanam

bhaktāya cānuraktāya

brūhi viśveśvareśvara

Translation

O lotus-eyed one, O Supreme Lord of all lords of the universe, please explain to Your devoted servant this means of liberation from the bondage of work.

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.

Seek Freedom Through Devoted Worship

  1. 1

    Uddhava addresses the lotus-eyed Lord as the Supreme Lord of all lords of the universe.

  2. 2

    He asks about worship as a means of liberation from the bondage of work.

  3. 3

    Uddhava approaches the Lord as His devoted servant, asking Him to explain this liberating process.

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. etatthis
  2. kamala-patra-akṣaO lotus-eyed Lord
  3. karma-bandhafrom the bondage of material work
  4. vimocanamthe means of liberation
  5. bhaktāyato Your devotee
  6. anuraktāyawho is very attached
  7. brūhiplease speak
  8. viśva-īśvaraof all the lords of the universe
  9. īśvaraO Supreme Lord
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: “worship”

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 approaching the Lord with the desire to serve Him, rather than remain bound by work?

Practice

Offer a brief prayer asking the Supreme Lord to teach you how to serve Him.

Live this todaySeek Freedom Through Devoted WorshipThis 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 11.27.5? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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