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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 29: Bhakti-yoga
11.29.1111.29.13-14

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.29.12

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Supreme Personality of Godheadsince 11.29.8inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Kṛṣṇa → Uddhava

मामेव सर्वभूतेषु बहिरन्तरपावृतम् ।

ईक्षेतात्मनि चात्मानं यथा खममलाशय: ॥ १२ ॥

mām eva sarva-bhūteṣu

bahir antar apāvṛtam

īkṣetātmani cātmānaṁ

yathā kham amalāśayaḥ

Translation

With a pure heart one should see Me, the Supreme Soul within all beings and also within oneself, to be both unblemished by anything material and also present everywhere, both externally and internally, just like the omnipresent sky.

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.

See the Supreme Soul Everywhere

  1. 1

    With a pure heart, one should see the Lord as the Supreme Soul within all beings and within oneself.

  2. 2

    Like the omnipresent sky, the Lord is present externally and internally, yet remains unblemished by anything material.

  3. 3

    This description attracts those inclined toward philosophical speculation about the Absolute Truth, who are searching for ultimate unity.

Key points from the purport
  • According to Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura, the Lord has spoken the present verse to attract those who are inclined toward philosophical speculation about the Absolute Truth.
  • Such transcendental scholars searching for the ultimate unity will be attracted by the Lord’s manifestation described here.

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 29: Bhakti-yoga

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

By understanding all living beings to be Lord Kṛṣṇa’s place of residence, one can attain the ability to see equally everywhere, and thus all faulty qualities of envy, false ego and so on will be removed. Bearing this in mind, the devotee should give up his proud relatives, his separatist outlook and his mundane embarrassment and should offer obeisances flat on the ground to all, even the dogs and outcastes.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.29
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. māmMe
  2. evaindeed
  3. sarva-bhūteṣuwithin all living beings
  4. bahiḥexternally
  5. antaḥinternally
  6. apāvṛtamuncovered
  7. īkṣetaone should see
  8. ātmaniwithin himself
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 11.29

    In this verse: “material”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 11.29

    In this verse: “philosophical”, “absolute truth”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How might remembering the Lord’s presence within myself and others change my outlook?

Practice

Pause today to reflect on the Supreme Soul’s presence within you and within one person you meet.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySee the Supreme Soul EverywhereThis 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 11.29.12? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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