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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 28: Jñāna-yoga
11.28.2211.28.24

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.28.23

Mukti· Liberation
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

एवं स्फुटं ब्रह्मविवेकहेतुभि:

परापवादेन विशारदेन ।

छित्त्वात्मसन्देहमुपारमेत

स्वानन्दतुष्टोऽखिलकामुकेभ्य: ॥ २३ ॥

evaṁ sphuṭaṁ brahma-viveka-hetubhiḥ

parāpavādena viśāradena

chittvātma-sandeham upārameta

svānanda-tuṣṭo ’khila-kāmukebhyaḥ

Translation

Thus clearly understanding by discriminating logic the unique position of the Absolute Truth, one should expertly refute one’s misidentification with matter and cut to pieces all doubts about the identity of the self. Becoming satisfied in the soul’s natural ecstasy, one should desist from all lusty engagements of the material senses.

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.

Discriminate Between the Self and Matter

  1. 1

    Discriminating logic helps one clearly understand the unique position of the Absolute Truth.

  2. 2

    One should refute identification with matter and cut away doubts about the identity of the self.

  3. 3

    Satisfaction in the soul’s natural ecstasy allows one to desist from lusty engagements of the material senses.

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:

Desisting from engagement in material sense enjoyment, one then becomes satisfied in the ecstasy of the self. Just as the sun remains untouched by the coming and going of clouds, the discriminating, liberated person remains unaffected by the activities of his senses.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.28
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. evamin this way
  2. sphuṭamclearly
  3. brahmaof the Absolute Truth
  4. viveka-hetubhiḥby discriminating, logical arguments
  5. paraof misidentification with other conceptions
  6. apavādenaby refutation
  7. viśāradenaexpert
  8. chittvācutting off
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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “absolute truth”, “understanding”, “understand”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “lusty”, “material”

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 11.28

    In this verse: “ecstasy”

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

Where do I most often confuse my true identity with matter?

Practice

Pause before one act of sense gratification today and reflect on the distinction between material desire and the soul’s natural satisfaction.

Live this todayDiscriminate Between the Self and 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.

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