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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 29: Bhakti-yoga
11.28.4411.29.2

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.29.1

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Uddhavasince 11.29.1inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Kṛṣṇa → Uddhava

श्रीउद्धव उवाच

सुदुस्तरामिमां मन्ये योगचर्यामनात्मन: ।

यथाञ्जसा पुमान् सिद्ध्येत् तन्मे ब्रूह्यञ्जसाच्युत ॥ १ ॥

śrī-uddhava uvāca

su-dustarām imāṁ manye

yoga-caryām anātmanaḥ

yathāñjasā pumān siddhyet

tan me brūhy añjasācyuta

Translation

Śrī Uddhava said: My dear Lord Acyuta, I fear that the method of yoga described by You is very difficult for one who cannot control his mind. Therefore please explain to me in simple terms how someone can more easily execute it.

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.

Ask the Lord for Simple Guidance

  1. 1

    Śrī Uddhava fears that the yoga method described by Lord Acyuta is very difficult for someone who cannot control the mind.

  2. 2

    He openly brings this difficulty before the Lord rather than pretending that the practice is easy.

  3. 3

    Uddhava asks the Lord to explain simply how someone can more easily carry out the method.

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 29: Bhakti-yoga

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Thinking that the previously described spiritual practice, based on detachment, is too difficult, Uddhava inquired about an easier method. In reply, Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa gave brief instructions on devotional service.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.29
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śrī-uddhavaḥ uvācaŚrī Uddhava said
  2. su-dustarāmvery difficult to execute
  3. imāmthis
  4. manyeI think
  5. yoga-caryāmprocess of yoga
  6. anātmanaḥfor one who has not controlled his mind
  7. yathāhow
  8. añjasāeasily
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

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 11.29

    In this verse: “fear”, “fears”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What difficulty in controlling your mind would you like to bring before the Lord?

Practice

Offer a brief prayer asking Lord Acyuta for simple guidance in your spiritual practice.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayAsk the Lord for Simple GuidanceThis 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 11.29.1? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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