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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
11.28.3511.28.37

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.28.36

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

एतावानात्मसम्मोहो यद् विकल्पस्तु केवले ।

आत्मनृते स्वमात्मानमवलम्बो न यस्य हि ॥ ३६ ॥

etāvān ātma-sammoho

yad vikalpas tu kevale

ātman ṛte svam ātmānam

avalambo na yasya hi

Translation

Whatever apparent duality is perceived in the self is simply the confusion of the mind. Indeed, such supposed duality has no basis to rest upon apart from one’s own soul.

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.

Pure Identity Beyond Body and Mind

  1. 1

    The spirit soul contains no matter. Treating the gross body or subtle mind as a fundamental part of the self is mental confusion.

  2. 2

    False ego is a mistaken identity imposed upon the soul through identification with matter. The underlying sense of individual identity comes from the soul itself.

  3. 3

    Pure identity is expressed as ahaṁ brahmāsmi, “I am pure spirit soul.” Perfect knowledge in Kṛṣṇa consciousness also recognizes the Supreme Personality of Godhead as the omniscient controller of everything.

Key points from the purport
  • The word vikalpa, or “duality,” here refers to the mistaken idea that the spirit soul is partly composed of matter in the form of the gross body or subtle mind.
  • Consequently the false ego, which is generated by the false identification with matter, is a mistaken identity imposed upon the pure spirit soul.
  • By studying one’s false sense of ego, one can analytically understand that there is a pure ego, which is expressed by the words ahaṁ brahmāsmi, “I am pure spirit soul.”

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:

The prescribed remedies for lust and the other enemies of the mind are meditation on the Supreme Lord and saṅkīrtana, the loud chanting of His names. The remedy for the disease of false ego is rendering service to the Supreme Lord’s saintly devotees.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.28
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. etāvānwhatever
  2. ātmaof the self
  3. sammohaḥdelusion
  4. yatwhich
  5. vikalpaḥidea of duality
  6. tubut
  7. kevalein the unique
  8. ātmanin the self
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: “knowledge”, “spirit soul”

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 11.28

    In this verse: “false ego”

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 distinguish my individual spiritual identity from identification with my body or mind?

Practice

Notice one thought that equates you with your body or mind, and reflect instead: “I am pure spirit soul.”

Live this todayPure Identity Beyond Body and MindThis 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 11.28.36? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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