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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
11.3.2511.3.27-28

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.3.26

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

श्रद्धां भागवते शास्त्रेऽनिन्दामन्यत्र चापि हि ।

मनोवाक्कर्मदण्डं च सत्यं शमदमावपि ॥ २६ ॥

śraddhāṁ bhāgavate śāstre

’nindām anyatra cāpi hi

mano-vāk-karma-daṇḍaṁ ca

satyaṁ śama-damāv api

Translation

One should have firm faith that he will achieve all success in life by following those scriptures that describe the glories of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Bhagavān. At the same time, one should avoid blaspheming other scriptures. One should rigidly control his mind, speech and bodily activities, always speak the truth, and bring the mind and senses under full control.

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.

Faith and Self-Control Through Devotional Service

  1. 1

    Śraddhā is firm confidence that loving devotional service to Kṛṣṇa fulfills all subsidiary duties. By following scriptures that directly describe His service, one can achieve knowledge and the perfection of life.

  2. 2

    Have faith in scriptures that glorify the Supreme Personality of Godhead without blaspheming other Vedic literature. Even teachings about material arts and sciences are ultimately intended for the Lord’s service, though they do not define the devotee’s personal goal.

  3. 3

    Control of mind, speech and body means abandoning sinful activities, not stopping all activity. Speak truthfully and engage your thoughts, words and actions in Kṛṣṇa’s service.

Key points from the purport
  • Thus a devotee should be confident that by carrying out the injunctions of bhāgavata-śāstra, or Vedic literature that directly, rather than indirectly, describes devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, one will easily achieve all knowledge and the perfection of life.
  • Since all such Vedic arts and sciences are ultimately intended to be used to render devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Keśava, saintly persons in the renounced order of life should never blaspheme such apparently mundane literatures; because such literatures are indirectly connected with the Supreme Lord, one may go to hell for blaspheming these secondary literatures.
  • A devotee of the Supreme Lord should thus apply the first type of faith to the various kalā-vidyās, or Vedic material arts and sciences, but he should not accept such scriptures as pointing out his personal goal in life.

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· 4

The purport of SB 11.3.26 quotesCC Madhya 22.62

The definition of śraddhā, or faith, is given as follows in Caitanya-caritāmṛta (Madhya 22.62): ‘śraddhā’-śabde — viśvāsa kahe sudṛḍha niścaya

The purport of SB 11.3.26 quotesBG 7.28

“Persons who have acted piously in previous lives and in this life, whose sinful actions are completely eradicated and who are freed from the duality of delusion engage themselves in My service with determination.”

The purport of SB 11.3.26 quotesBG 15.18

“Because I am transcendental, beyond both the fallible and the infallible, and because I am the greatest, I am celebrated both in the world and in the Vedas as the Supreme Person.”

The purport of SB 11.3.26 quotesCC Ādi 8.15

If you do so, you will find such mercy strikingly wonderful.”

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. śraddhāmfaith
  2. bhāgavaterelated to the Supreme Lord
  3. śāstrein scripture
  4. anindāmnot blaspheming
  5. anyatraothers
  6. caalso
  7. api hiindeed
  8. manaḥof the mind
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: “devotional service”, “devotee’s”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 11.3

    In this verse: “knowledge”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can I use my speech in Kṛṣṇa’s service rather than merely trying to remain silent?

Practice

Read one passage glorifying Kṛṣṇa today, then use your own words to speak about His glories.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayFaith and Self-Control Through 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.

Ask the BhāgavatamHave a question about SB 11.3.26? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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