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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
11.29.3011.29.32

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.29.31

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

एतैर्दोषैर्विहीनाय ब्रह्मण्याय प्रियाय च ।

साधवे शुचये ब्रूयाद् भक्ति: स्याच्छूद्रयोषिताम् ॥ ३१ ॥

etair doṣair vihīnāya

brahmaṇyāya priyāya ca

sādhave śucaye brūyād

bhaktiḥ syāc chūdra-yoṣitām

Translation

This knowledge should be taught to one who is free from these bad qualities, who is dedicated to the welfare of the brāhmaṇas, and who is kindly disposed, saintly and pure. And if common workers and women are found to have devotion for the Supreme Lord, they are also to be accepted as qualified hearers.

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.

Devotion Qualifies a Person to Hear

  1. 1

    This knowledge should be taught to those free from the disqualifying qualities mentioned by the Lord.

  2. 2

    Qualified hearers are dedicated to the welfare of the brāhmaṇas, kindly disposed, saintly and pure.

  3. 3

    Common workers and women who have devotion for the Supreme Lord are also to be accepted as qualified hearers.

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:

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. After receiving these instructions, Śrī Uddhava went to Badarikāśrama in pursuance of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s order, and by perfectly carrying out the instructions of the Supreme Lord, he attained the Lord’s transcendental abode.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.29
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. etaiḥof these
  2. doṣaiḥfaulty qualities
  3. vihīnāyato the person who is devoid
  4. brahmaṇyāyato one dedicated to the welfare of the brāhmaṇas
  5. priyāyakindly disposed
  6. caand
  7. sādhavesaintly
  8. śucayepure
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

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 11.29

    In this verse: “welfare”, “kindly”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotion”

  • 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

Do I recognize devotion to the Supreme Lord when considering who is qualified to hear?

Practice

Welcome a devoted person’s wish to hear this knowledge without dismissing them because of their work or gender.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDevotion Qualifies a Person to HearThis 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 11.29.31? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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