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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 28: Jñāna-yoga
11.28.1711.28.19

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.28.18

Āśraya· The supreme shelter
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Supreme Personality of Godheadsince 11.28.12inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Kṛṣṇa → Uddhava

ज्ञानं विवेको निगमस्तपश्च

प्रत्यक्षमैतिह्यमथानुमानम् ।

आद्यन्तयोरस्य यदेव केवलं

कालश्च हेतुश्च तदेव मध्ये ॥ १८ ॥

jñānaṁ viveko nigamas tapaś ca

pratyakṣam aitihyam athānumānam

ādy-antayor asya yad eva kevalaṁ

kālaś ca hetuś ca tad eva madhye

Translation

Real spiritual knowledge is based on the discrimination of spirit from matter, and it is cultivated by scriptural evidence, austerity, direct perception, reception of the Purāṇas’ historical narrations, and logical inference. The Absolute Truth, which alone was present before the creation of the universe and which alone will remain after its destruction, is also the time factor and the ultimate cause. Even in the middle stage of this creation’s existence, the Absolute Truth alone is the actual reality.

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.

Distinguish Spirit From Matter

  1. 1

    Real spiritual knowledge distinguishes spirit from matter. It is cultivated through scripture, austerity, direct perception, the Purāṇas’ historical narrations and logical inference.

  2. 2

    The Absolute Truth alone is the actual reality before creation, during its existence and after its destruction. It is also the time factor and ultimate cause.

  3. 3

    Material cause and effect unfold entirely within time. This time factor manifests the Supersoul, the form of the Supreme Lord that pervades and supports the universe.

Key points from the purport
  • Material scientists and philosophers are desperately searching for the ultimate material cause or principle, which is described here as kāla, the time factor.
  • The material process of cause and effect takes place entirely within a sequence of time; in other words, the time factor is the motivating impetus for material cause and effect.
  • The method for acquiring knowledge is scientifically described here, and those who are serious, reasonable scholars will take advantage of the transcendental epistemology revealed here by the Lord.

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. jñānamtranscendental knowledge
  2. vivekaḥdiscrimination
  3. nigamaḥthe scripture
  4. tapaḥausterity
  5. caand
  6. pratyakṣamdirect perception
  7. aitihyamthe historical accounts of the Purāṇas
  8. athaand
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Āśraya · The summum bonum

    Who is the shelter of everything? · Subject 10 of 10

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “knowledge”, “absolute truth”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 11.28

    In this verse: “narrations”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

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 make better use of scripture to distinguish spirit from matter?

Practice

Reread this translation slowly and write one sentence explaining the difference between changing material events and the enduring Absolute Truth.

Live this todayDistinguish Spirit From MatterThis 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 11.28.18? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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