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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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.28.14

Who is speaking and story frame

यथा ह्यप्रतिबुद्धस्य प्रस्वापो बह्वनर्थभृत् ।

स एव प्रतिबुद्धस्य न वै मोहाय कल्पते ॥ १४ ॥

yathā hy apratibuddhasya

prasvāpo bahv-anartha-bhṛt

sa eva pratibuddhasya

na vai mohāya kalpate

Translation

Although while dreaming a person experiences many undesirable things, upon awakening he is no longer confused by the dream experiences.

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.

Awaken to Kṛṣṇa Consciousness

  1. 1

    A dream may bring many undesirable experiences, but after awakening a person is no longer confused by them.

  2. 2

    Even a liberated soul observes material objects while living in this world.

  3. 3

    Awake to Kṛṣṇa consciousness, the liberated soul understands that sensory pains and pleasures are without substance, like dreams. Thus he is not bewildered by illusion.

Key points from the purport
  • Even a liberated soul must observe material objects while living in this world.
  • But being awake to Kṛṣṇa consciousness, he understands that sensory pains and pleasures, like dreams, are without substance.
  • Thus the liberated soul is not bewildered by illusion.

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 28: Jñāna-yoga

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Although material existence is unreal, those who lack discrimination remain entangled in the cycle of birth and death because of their absorption in sense gratification. All the phases of material life — such as birth, death, sorrow and happiness — belong not to the soul but to the materialistic false ego.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.28
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yathāas
  2. hiindeed
  3. apratibuddhasyafor one who has not awakened
  4. prasvāpaḥsleep
  5. bahumany
  6. anarthaundesirable experiences
  7. bhṛtpresenting
  8. saḥthat same dream
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 11.28

    In this verse: “illusion”, “material”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 11.28

    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 might remembering Kṛṣṇa consciousness change my response to sensory pleasure or pain?

Practice

When a sensory pleasure or discomfort catches your attention today, pause and remember the verse’s comparison with a dream.

Live this todayAwaken to Kṛṣṇa ConsciousnessThis 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 11.28.14? Get an answer from the verses themselves.