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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.
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Canto 11 · Chapter 27: Lord Kṛṣṇa’s Instructions on the Process of Deity Worship
11.27.5311.27.55

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.27.54

Ūti· What drives us to act
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

य: स्वदत्तां परैर्दत्तां हरेत सुरविप्रयो: ।

वृत्तिं स जायते विड्भुग् वर्षाणामयुतायुतम् ॥ ५४ ॥

yaḥ sva-dattāṁ parair dattāṁ

hareta sura-viprayoḥ

vṛttiṁ sa jāyate viḍ-bhug

varṣāṇām ayutāyutam

Translation

Anyone who steals the property of the demigods or the brāhmaṇas, whether originally given to them by himself or someone else, must live as a worm in stool for one hundred million years.

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.

Never Take Back Sacred Gifts

  1. 1

    One must not steal property belonging to the demigods or the brāhmaṇas.

  2. 2

    This applies whether the property was originally donated by oneself or by someone else. Having given it does not make taking it back acceptable.

  3. 3

    The verse warns that such theft leads to life as a worm in stool for one hundred million years.

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:

By worshiping Lord Śrī Hari with unconditional devotion in this manner, one gains access to pure loving service to His lotus feet. But if one steals property that has been given as charity to the Deity or the brāhmaṇas, whether given by himself or by others, he will have to take his next birth as a stool-eating worm.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.27
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yaḥwho
  2. sva-dattāmgiven previously by himself
  3. paraiḥby others
  4. dattāmgiven
  5. haretatakes away
  6. sura-viprayoḥbelonging to the demigods or brāhmaṇas
  7. vṛttimproperty
  8. saḥhe
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

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

Do I fully respect the ownership of property that has been given to the demigods or brāhmaṇas?

Practice

Before using any property given to the demigods or brāhmaṇas today, check that you have permission.

Live this todayNever Take Back Sacred GiftsThis 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 11.27.54? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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