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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
11.28.3811.28.40

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.28.39

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

योगधारणया कांश्चिदासनैर्धारणान्वितै: ।

तपोमन्त्रौषधै: कांश्चिदुपसर्गान् विनिर्दहेत् ॥ ३९ ॥

yoga-dhāraṇayā kāṁścid

āsanair dhāraṇānvitaiḥ

tapo-mantrauṣadhaiḥ kāṁścid

upasargān vinirdahet

Translation

Some of these obstructions may be counteracted by yogic meditation or by sitting postures, practiced together with concentration on controlled breathing, and others may be counteracted by special austerities, mantras or medicinal herbs.

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.

Different Obstacles Call for Different Remedies

  1. 1

    Some bodily obstructions may be counteracted through yogic meditation.

  2. 2

    Prescribed sitting postures, practiced with concentration on controlled breathing, may counteract some disturbances.

  3. 3

    Other obstructions may be counteracted through special austerities, mantras or medicinal herbs. The verse describes different methods for different obstacles.

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. yoga-dhāraṇayāby yogic meditation
  2. kāṁścitsome disturbances
  3. āsanaiḥby prescribed postures
  4. dhāraṇā-anvitaiḥtogether with meditation on controlled breathing
  5. tapaḥby special austerities
  6. mantramagical chants
  7. auṣadhaiḥand medicinal herbs
  8. kāṁścitsome
  9. upasargānobstructions
  10. vinirdahetcan be eradicated
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

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

What does this variety of methods teach me about expecting one remedy to address every obstacle?

Practice

List the methods named in the translation, noting that each is described as addressing some obstacles rather than all.

Live this todayDifferent Obstacles Call for Different RemediesThis 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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