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
11.29.3811.29.40

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.29.39

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Uddhavasince 11.29.37inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Kṛṣṇa → Uddhava

वृक्णश्च मे सुद‍ृढ: स्‍नेहपाशो

दाशार्हवृष्ण्यन्धकसात्वतेषु ।

प्रसारित: सृष्टिविवृद्धये त्वया

स्वमायया ह्यात्मसुबोधहेतिना ॥ ३९ ॥

vṛkṇaś ca me su-dṛḍhaḥ sneha-pāśo

dāśārha-vṛṣṇy-andhaka-sātvateṣu

prasāritaḥ sṛṣṭi-vivṛddhaye tvayā

sva-māyayā hy ātma-subodha-hetinā

Translation

The firmly binding rope of my affection for the families of the Dāśārhas, Vṛṣṇis, Andhakas and Sātvatas — a rope You originally cast over me by Your illusory energy for the purpose of developing Your creation — is now cut off by the weapon of transcendental knowledge of the self.

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 Relatives as the Lord’s Servants

  1. 1

    The family members mentioned are eternal associates of Lord Kṛṣṇa and proper objects of affection. Yet Uddhava had regarded them as his personal relatives rather than simply as pure devotees.

  2. 2

    Influenced by the Lord’s illusory potency, Uddhava had desired the prosperity and victory of these dynasties.

  3. 3

    Hearing Lord Kṛṣṇa’s instructions fixed his mind exclusively upon the Lord again. He now sees these family members without mundane conceptions, as eternal servants of the Lord.

Key points from the purport
  • Although the members of the families mentioned in this verse are eternal associates of Lord Kṛṣṇa and thus proper objects of affection, Śrī Uddhava had regarded them as his personal relatives rather than simply as pure devotees of the Lord.
  • Influenced by the Lord’s illusory potency, Uddhava had desired the prosperity and victory of these dynasties.
  • But now, by hearing Lord Kṛṣṇa’s instructions, he has again fixed his mind exclusively upon Lord Kṛṣṇa, and thus he regards his so-called family members without any mundane conception — as eternal servants of the Lord.

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. vṛkṇaḥcut off
  2. caand
  3. memy
  4. su-dṛḍhaḥvery firm
  5. sneha-pāśaḥbinding rope of affection
  6. dāśārha-vṛṣṇi-andhaka-sātvateṣufor the Dāśārhas, Vṛṣṇis, Andhakas and Sātvatas
  7. prasāritaḥcast
  8. sṛṣṭiof Your creation
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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “knowledge”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotees”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 11.29

    In this verse: “hearing”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does seeing someone in relation to the Lord differ from seeing that person only in relation to me?

Practice

Reread the purport and write one sentence explaining why Uddhava’s affection was purified rather than rejected.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySee Relatives as the Lord’s ServantsThis 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 11.29.39? 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