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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 3: Liberation from the Illusory Energy
11.3.1611.3.18

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.3.17

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:King Nimisince 11.3.17inside 4 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitNārada Muni → VasudevaThe nine Yogendras → King Nimi

श्रीराजोवाच

यथैतामैश्वरीं मायां दुस्तरामकृतात्मभि: ।

तरन्त्यञ्ज: स्थूलधियो महर्ष इदमुच्यताम् ॥ १७ ॥

śrī-rājovāca

yathaitām aiśvarīṁ māyāṁ

dustarām akṛtātmabhiḥ

taranty añjaḥ sthūla-dhiyo

maharṣa idam ucyatām

Translation

King Nimi said: O great sage, please explain how even a foolish materialist can easily cross over the illusory energy of the Supreme Lord, which is always insurmountable for those who are not self-controlled.

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.

Cross Illusion Through Loving Devotional Service

  1. 1

    Material attachment dulls intelligence and leads us to identify with the temporary body. Even religious ceremonies miss their purpose when performed for sense gratification rather than loving devotional service.

  2. 2

    King Nimi already knew that one can cross māyā by surrendering to the Lord and pleasing Him through pure devotional service. He asked his question out of kindness toward those entangled in material activities.

  3. 3

    Every living being has an eternal relationship with Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Life remains ultimately empty until we learn to direct our love toward Him.

Key points from the purport
  • According to Śrīla Śrīdhara Svāmī, sthūla-dhiyaḥ indicates those who ignorantly identify themselves with the gross material body and who are therefore unable to analyze the subtle laws of nature by which the soul transmigrates in illusion.
  • According to Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura, King Nimi was already an advanced devotee of the Lord and therefore knew that one can cross over the illusory energy, māyā, by surrendering to the lotus feet of the Lord and pleasing Him by pure devotional service.
  • King Nimi, a pure Vaiṣṇava, was so kind that he asked, “How can such cripple-minded people cross over māyā in the easiest way possible, since by nature they are very lazy in spiritual matters?”

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

Foreboding → Devotional urgency. Uddhava realizes that Kṛṣṇa's visible association is nearing an end.

Chapters 1–6 of Canto 11: The Yadu curse, the nine Yogendras and farewell signs. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 3: Liberation from the Illusory Energy

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

When completely devoted to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Nārāyaṇa, the devotee easily crosses over the illusory energy, māyā, which is extremely difficult to cross. The Supreme Personality of Godhead is the cause of the creation, maintenance and destruction of the universe, yet He has no prior cause.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.3
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śrī-rājā uvācaKing Nimi said
  2. yathāhow
  3. etāmthis
  4. aiśvarīmof the Supreme Lord
  5. māyāmmaterial energy
  6. dustarāmunsurpassable
  7. akṛta-ātmabhiḥby those who are not self-controlled
  8. tarantithey may cross over
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 11.3

    In this verse: “materialist”, “attachment”, “māyā”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 11.3

    In this verse: “king”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 11.3

    In this verse: “devotional service”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Am I directing my spiritual efforts toward material rewards or toward loving Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Take one quiet minute today to express your wish to love and serve Kṛṣṇa.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayCross Illusion Through Loving Devotional ServiceThis 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.

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