1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 11 · General History · 31 chapters

12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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
11.28.4311.29.1

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.28.44

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

योगचर्यामिमां योगी विचरन् मदपाश्रय: ।

नान्तरायैर्विहन्येत नि:स्पृह: स्वसुखानुभू: ॥ ४४ ॥

yoga-caryām imāṁ yogī

vicaran mad-apāśrayaḥ

nāntarāyair vihanyeta

niḥspṛhaḥ sva-sukhānubhūḥ

Translation

The yogī who has taken shelter of Me remains free from hankering because he experiences the happiness of the soul within. Thus while executing this process of yoga, he is never defeated by obstacles.

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.

Shelter in the Lord Brings Spiritual Victory

  1. 1

    The yogī who takes shelter of the Lord experiences the happiness of the soul within and remains free from hankering. Such a practitioner is not defeated by obstacles.

  2. 2

    The essential wisdom described here concludes that pure devotional service to the Supreme Lord is the real means of ultimate liberation.

  3. 3

    Haṭha-yogīs and rāja-yogīs confront obstacles and often fail to reach their desired goals. One who surrenders to Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, will certainly be victorious on the path back home, back to Godhead.

Key points from the purport
  • According to Śrīla Śrīdhara Svāmī, the Supreme Lord has briefly described to Uddhava the essential wisdom of all the Upaniṣads, with the conclusion that pure devotional service to the Lord is the real means of ultimate liberation.
  • In this regard Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura emphasizes that although haṭha-yogīs and rāja-yogīs try to make progress along their prescribed paths, they confront obstacles and often fail to achieve their desired goals.
  • Thus end the purports of the humble servants of His Divine Grace A.C.

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:

An intelligent person is therefore uninterested in this kind of process. Rather, by taking shelter of the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord, an aspiring devotee who is seriously dedicated to the Lord rids himself of all disturbances and becomes empowered to attain the highest perfection, the full bliss of spiritual life.
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-caryāmthe prescribed process of yoga
  2. imāmthis
  3. yogīthe practitioner
  4. vicaranexecuting
  5. mat-apāśrayaḥhaving taken shelter of Me
  6. nanot
  7. antarāyaiḥby obstacles
  8. vihanyetais checked
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

  • Śaraṇāgati · Wholehearted surrender

    Relinquishing ownership while entrusting oneself to the Lord. · Theme in SB 11.28

    In this verse: “shelter”, “surrenders”

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 11.28

    In this verse: “free from”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 11.28

    In this verse: “devotional service”

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

When obstacles arise, how can I turn toward shelter in the Lord rather than become discouraged?

Practice

Take a quiet moment today to ask the Supreme Lord for shelter and help in continuing devotional service despite obstacles.

Live this todayShelter in the Lord Brings Spiritual VictoryThis 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 11.28.44? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories