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 29: Bhakti-yoga
11.29.1911.29.21

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.29.20

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
A turning point forUddhava· Instruction and entrustment

न ह्यङ्गोपक्रमे ध्वंसो मद्धर्मस्योद्धवाण्वपि ।

मया व्यवसित: सम्यङ्निर्गुणत्वादनाशिष: ॥ २० ॥

na hy aṅgopakrame dhvaṁso

mad-dharmasyoddhavāṇv api

mayā vyavasitaḥ samyaṅ

nirguṇatvād anāśiṣaḥ

Translation

My dear Uddhava, because I have personally established it, this process of devotional service unto Me is transcendental and free from any material motivation. Certainly a devotee never suffers even the slightest loss by adopting this process.

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.

Devotional Service Brings No Spiritual Loss

  1. 1

    The Supreme Lord Himself has established bhakti-yoga, in which one directly takes shelter of Him in loving service.

  2. 2

    This process of devotional service is transcendental and free from material motivation.

  3. 3

    One who serves without personal motivation suffers no loss and cannot be defeated in spiritual progress. Such a devotee will return home, back to Godhead, in the near future.

Key points from the purport
  • Although great sages and authorities have established various methods of human progress, the Supreme Lord Himself has introduced the system of bhakti-yoga, wherein one directly takes shelter of the Lord in loving service.
  • One who serves the Lord without personal motivation can never be defeated in his progress and will certainly go back home, back to Godhead, in the near future.

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:

Because this eternal process of devotional service to the Supreme Lord is transcendental and has been established by the Lord Himself, it can never, to the slightest extent, be defeated or prove fruitless. When one offers himself completely to the Supreme Lord with exclusive devotion, the Lord becomes particularly pleased, and thus the devotee achieves immortality, becoming qualified to obtain opulence equal to that of the Lord.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.29
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. nathere is not
  2. hiindeed
  3. aṅgaMy dear Uddhava
  4. upakramein the attempt
  5. dhvaṁsaḥdestruction
  6. mat-dharmasyaof My devotional service
  7. uddhavaMy dear Uddhava
  8. aṇuthe slightest
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 11.29

    In this verse: “devotional service”, “devotee”, “bhakti-yoga”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 11.29

    In this verse: “material”

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 11.29

    In this verse: “free from”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What personal reward can I stop seeking in my service to the Lord?

Practice

Perform one small act of devotional service today without asking for a personal benefit.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDevotional Service Brings No Spiritual LossThis 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 11.29.20? 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