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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
11.28.811.28.10

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.28.9

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

प्रत्यक्षेणानुमानेन निगमेनात्मसंविदा ।

आद्यन्तवदसज्ज्ञात्वा नि:सङ्गो विचरेदिह ॥ ९ ॥

pratyakṣeṇānumānena

nigamenātma-saṁvidā

ādy-antavad asaj jñātvā

niḥsaṅgo vicared iha

Translation

By direct perception, logical deduction, scriptural testimony and personal realization, one should know that this world has a beginning and an end and so is not the ultimate reality. Thus one should live in this world without attachment.

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.

Live Without Attachment Through Devotional Service

  1. 1

    Direct perception, logical deduction, scripture and personal realization show that this world has a beginning and an end. It is therefore not the ultimate reality.

  2. 2

    Material opposites, such as rich and poor or beautiful and ugly, dissolve with time. Seeing the world as independent of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is itself an illusion.

  3. 3

    One convinced of the world’s temporary nature can engage in devotional service without becoming entangled. Such a person remains cheerful and satisfied in spiritual consciousness.

Key points from the purport
  • According to Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī, there are two main material dualities.
  • The first duality is that one sees material good and bad, beautiful and ugly, rich and poor, and so on.
  • The second is that one sees the entire material world as separate from or independent of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

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:

As long as there is a relationship between the bodily senses, which are comprised of matter, and the soul, which is the reality, one will continue in false consciousness. Although material existence is unreal, those who lack discrimination remain entangled in the cycle of birth and death because of their absorption in sense gratification.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.28
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. pratyakṣeṇaby direct perception
  2. anumānenaby logical deduction
  3. nigamenaby the statements of scripture
  4. ātma-saṁvidāand by one’s own realization
  5. ādi-anta-vathaving a beginning and an end
  6. asatunreal
  7. jñātvāknowing
  8. niḥsaṅgaḥfree from attachment
  9. vicaretone should move about
  10. ihain this world
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: “attachment”, “illusion”, “material”

  • 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

How could remembering that material distinctions are temporary help me serve with less attachment?

Practice

Set aside one comparison about wealth or appearance today, and use that time for a small act of devotional service.

Live this todayLive Without Attachment Through Devotional ServiceThis 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 11.28.9? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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