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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
11.3.1711.3.19

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.3.18

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śrī Prabuddhasince 11.3.18inside 4 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitNārada Muni → VasudevaThe nine Yogendras → King Nimi

श्रीप्रबुद्ध उवाच

कर्माण्यारभमाणानां दु:खहत्यै सुखाय च ।

पश्येत् पाकविपर्यासं मिथुनीचारिणां नृणाम् ॥ १८ ॥

śrī-prabuddha uvāca

karmāṇy ārabhamāṇānāṁ

duḥkha-hatyai sukhāya ca

paśyet pāka-viparyāsaṁ

mithunī-cāriṇāṁ nṛṇām

Translation

Śrī Prabuddha said: Accepting the roles of male and female in human society, the conditioned souls unite in sexual relationships. Thus they constantly make material endeavors to eliminate their unhappiness and unlimitedly increase their pleasure. But one should see that they inevitably achieve exactly the opposite result. In other words, their happiness inevitably vanishes, and as they grow older their material discomfort increases.

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.

Notice the Limits of Material Endeavor

  1. 1

    Conditioned souls accept bodily roles as male and female and unite in sexual relationships. They continually work to remove unhappiness and increase pleasure.

  2. 2

    One should observe that these efforts bring the opposite result: material happiness vanishes, while discomfort increases with age.

  3. 3

    The bodily concept of life is the illusory basis of sexual attraction. Without the mercy of a pure devotee, freedom from this mistaken identification is exceedingly difficult.

Key points from the purport
  • Without the mercy of a pure devotee it is exceedingly difficult to free oneself from the bodily concept of life, which is the illusory basis of sexual attraction.

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:

Although these souls constantly make material endeavors to eliminate their unhappiness and unlimitedly increase their pleasure, they inevitably achieve exactly the opposite result. Permanent happiness cannot be found in this world — either on the earthly planets or on the heavenly planets, which one can attain in the next life after performing ritualistic ceremonies and sacrifices.
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-prabuddhaḥ uvācaŚrī Prabuddha said
  2. karmāṇifruitive activities
  3. ārabhamāṇānāmmaking endeavors in
  4. duḥkha-hatyaifor the elimination of distress
  5. sukhāya caand for gaining happiness
  6. paśyetone should see
  7. pākaof the result
  8. viparyāsamcontrary outcome
  9. mithunī-cāriṇāmwho are coupled as men and women
  10. nṛṇāmof such persons
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 11.3

    In this verse: “material”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotee”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 11.3

    In this verse: “mercy”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Where have I seen efforts for lasting material pleasure bring fresh discomfort instead?

Practice

Write down one example of material pleasure that faded despite your efforts to preserve it.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayNotice the Limits of Material EndeavorThis 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 11.3.18? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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