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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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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
11.29.2911.29.31

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.29.30

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

नैतत्त्वया दाम्भिकाय नास्तिकाय शठाय च ।

अशुश्रूषोरभक्ताय दुर्विनीताय दीयताम् ॥ ३० ॥

naitat tvayā dāmbhikāya

nāstikāya śaṭhāya ca

aśuśrūṣor abhaktāya

durvinītāya dīyatām

Translation

You should not share this instruction with anyone who is hypocritical, atheistic or dishonest, or with anyone who will not listen faithfully, who is not a devotee, or who is simply not humble.

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.

Share Instruction With Discernment

  1. 1

    The Lord says not to share this instruction with someone who is hypocritical, atheistic or dishonest.

  2. 2

    It should not be given to someone unwilling to listen faithfully or lacking devotion.

  3. 3

    Humility also matters: the Lord excludes those who are not humble.

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:

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. As long as one has not learned to see the presence of the Supreme Personality of Godhead in all creatures, he must continue to use his body, mind and speech to worship the Supreme Lord in that manner of offering full obeisances to all.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.29
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. nanot
  2. etatthis
  3. tvayāby you
  4. dāmbhikāyato a hypocrite
  5. nāstikāyato an atheist
  6. śaṭhāyato a cheat
  7. caand
  8. aśuśrūṣoḥto one who does not listen with faith
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: “devotee”, “devotion”

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 11.29

    In this verse: “humble”, “humility”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Am I ready to receive this instruction with honesty, faith, devotion and humility?

Practice

Before sharing this instruction today, consider whether the listener is willing to hear faithfully and humbly.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayShare Instruction With DiscernmentThis 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 11.29.30? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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