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
11.28.6-711.28.9

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.28.8

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Supreme Personality of Godheadsince 11.28.1inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Kṛṣṇa → Uddhava

एतद् विद्वान् मदुदितं ज्ञानविज्ञाननैपुणम् ।

न निन्दति न च स्तौति लोके चरति सूर्यवत् ॥ ८ ॥

etad vidvān mad-uditaṁ

jñāna-vijñāna-naipuṇam

na nindati na ca stauti

loke carati sūrya-vat

Translation

One who has properly understood the process of becoming firmly fixed in theoretical and realized knowledge, as described herein by Me, does not indulge in material criticism or praise. Like the sun, he wanders freely throughout this world.

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.

Choose What Favors Service to Kṛṣṇa

  1. 1

    One firmly established in the knowledge and realization taught by the Lord does not indulge in material praise or criticism. Such a person moves freely through the world like the sun.

  2. 2

    Attachment to praising or criticizing material good and bad for personal sense gratification covers one’s knowledge of the Lord.

  3. 3

    A pure devotee neither loves nor hates material illusion. Following a bona fide spiritual master, the devotee accepts what favors service to Kṛṣṇa and rejects what hinders it.

Key points from the purport
  • Every living entity emanates from the Supreme Lord and is thus naturally full of realized knowledge.
  • But when one becomes attached to praising or criticizing material good and bad for one’s personal sense gratification, one’s expert knowledge of the Lord becomes covered.
  • A pure devotee should neither love nor hate any aspect of material illusion; he should rather accept whatever is favorable for serving Kṛṣṇa and reject whatever is unfavorable, following the guidance of a bona fide spiritual master.

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:

This chapter briefly summarizes the process of jñāna-yoga, which previous chapters described in detail. Every created thing in this universe is a material product of the three modes of nature, is subject to sensory perception, and is essentially unreal.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.28
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. etatthis
  2. vidvānone who knows
  3. matby Me
  4. uditamdescribed
  5. jñānain knowledge
  6. vijñānaand realization
  7. naipuṇamthe status of being fixed
  8. na nindatidoes not criticize
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”, “attachment”, “illusion”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “knowledge”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotee”

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

Is my next choice guided by personal gratification or by what favors service to Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Apply guidance you have received from a bona fide spiritual master to one choice about what supports your service to Kṛṣṇa.

Live this todayChoose What Favors Service to KṛṣṇaThis 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 11.28.8? 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