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 3: Liberation from the Illusory Energy
11.3.2211.3.24

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.3.23

Mukti· Liberation
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

सर्वतो मनसोऽसङ्गमादौ सङ्गं च साधुषु ।

दयां मैत्रीं प्रश्रयं च भूतेष्वद्धा यथोचितम् ॥ २३ ॥

sarvato manaso ’saṅgam

ādau saṅgaṁ ca sādhuṣu

dayāṁ maitrīṁ praśrayaṁ ca

bhūteṣv addhā yathocitam

Translation

A sincere disciple should learn to dissociate the mind from everything material and positively cultivate association with his spiritual master and other saintly devotees. He should be merciful to those in an inferior position to him, cultivate friendship with those on an equal level and meekly serve those in a higher spiritual position. Thus he should learn to deal properly with all living beings.

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.

Choose Devotional Association and Extend Mercy

  1. 1

    Detach the mind from material attachments and cultivate association with the spiritual master and pure devotees. Steady devotional service to Kṛṣṇa carries one beyond the three modes of material nature.

  2. 2

    One may mentally respect anyone chanting Kṛṣṇa’s holy name while avoiding intimate association with materialistic persons. Association should support advancement in devotional service, not strengthen sense enjoyment.

  3. 3

    Show mercy to those less spiritually advanced, friendship to equals and humble service to spiritual authorities. Sharing Kṛṣṇa’s message under the spiritual master’s guidance brings spiritual progress and increasing devotional joy.

Key points from the purport
  • But a devotee of the Lord is beyond the three modes of material nature.
  • By such association even a materialistic person can gradually become a pure devotee of Kṛṣṇa.
  • If an advanced devotee is not able to engage a materialistic person in the devotional service of Kṛṣṇa, such association is strictly forbidden.

The purport's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 3

The purport of SB 11.3.23 quotesBG 14.26

Lord Kṛṣṇa says in Bhagavad-gītā (14.26): “One who engages in full devotional service, who does not fall down in any circumstance, at once transcends the modes of material nature and thus comes to the level of Brahman.”

The purport of SB 11.3.23 quotesBG 18.40

But in the Eighteenth Chapter of Bhagavad-gītā (18.40) the Lord says: “There is no being existing, either here or among the demigods in the higher planetary systems, who is free from the three modes of material nature.”

The purport of SB 11.3.23 quotesSB 11.3.21

Therefore, one should cultivate the association of the uttama-adhikārī, or pure devotee of the Lord, as stated previously: “Therefore any person who seriously desires real happiness must seek a bona fide spiritual master and take shelter of him by initiation.

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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:

By chanting the glories of the Supreme Personality of Godhead in the association of devotees, one becomes satisfied and happy and develops a loving friendship with the devotees. In this way one becomes able to give up material sense gratification, which is the cause of all suffering.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.3
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. sarvataḥeverywhere
  2. manasaḥof the mind
  3. asaṅgamdetachment
  4. ādauin the beginning
  5. saṅgamassociation
  6. caand
  7. sādhuṣuwith saintly persons
  8. dayāmmercy
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 11.3

    In this verse: “devotees”, “devotional service”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”, “attachments”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 11.3

    In this verse: “merciful”, “mercy”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can I cultivate both uplifting association and mercy toward someone who wants spiritual guidance?

Practice

Share one teaching about devotional service to Kṛṣṇa with someone who sincerely wants to hear.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayChoose Devotional Association and Extend MercyThis 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 11.3.23? 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