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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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.27.55

Who is speaking and story frame

कर्तुश्च सारथेर्हेतोरनुमोदितुरेव च ।

कर्मणां भागिन: प्रेत्य भूयो भूयसि तत् फलम् ॥ ५५ ॥

kartuś ca sārather hetor

anumoditur eva ca

karmaṇāṁ bhāginaḥ pretya

bhūyo bhūyasi tat-phalam

Translation

Not only the performer of the theft but also anyone who assists him, instigates the crime, or simply approves of it must also share the reaction in the next life. According to their degree of participation, they each must suffer a proportionate consequence.

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.

Do Not Support Theft of Worship Items

  1. 1

    Stealing items meant for worshiping the Supreme Lord or His authorized representatives should be avoided at all costs.

  2. 2

    The person who steals is not the only one responsible. Anyone who assists, instigates or simply approves of the theft also shares the reaction in the next life.

  3. 3

    Each person suffers a consequence proportionate to their degree of participation.

Key points from the purport
  • Stealing paraphernalia meant for worshiping the Supreme Lord or His authorized representatives should be avoided at all costs.
  • Thus end the purports of the humble servants of His Divine Grace A.C.
  • Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda to the Eleventh Canto, Twenty-seventh Chapter, of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, entitled “Lord Kṛṣṇa’s Instructions on the Process of Deity Worship.”

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:

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. kartuḥof the performer
  2. caand
  3. sāratheḥof the assistant
  4. hetoḥof the instigator
  5. anumodituḥof the person who approves
  6. eva caalso
  7. karmaṇāmof the fruitive reactions
  8. bhāginaḥof the shareholder
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “worshiping”

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 careful not to encourage or approve of taking items meant for worship?

Practice

Leave items set aside for worship in their designated place, and ask permission before taking or using them.

Live this todayDo Not Support Theft of Worship ItemsThis 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 11.27.55? Get an answer from the verses themselves.