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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

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

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How to study this verse, in six steps

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
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

11.3.27-28 11.3.30

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.3.29

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

एवं कृष्णात्मनाथेषु मनुष्येषु च सौहृदम् ।

परिचर्यां चोभयत्र महत्सु नृषु साधुषु ॥ २९ ॥

evaṁ kṛṣṇātma-nātheṣu

manuṣyeṣu ca sauhṛdam

paricaryāṁ cobhayatra

mahatsu nṛṣu sādhuṣu

Translation

One who desires his ultimate self-interest should cultivate friendship with those persons who have accepted Kṛṣṇa as the Lord of their life. One should further develop an attitude of service toward all living beings. One should especially try to help those in the human form of life and, among them, especially those who accept the principles of religious behavior. Among religious persons, one should especially render service to the pure devotees of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

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.

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Cultivate Friendship and Sincere Service

1
For your ultimate spiritual benefit, cultivate friendship with those who have accepted Kṛṣṇa as the Lord of their life. Such surrendered devotees have taken shelter at His lotus feet.
2
Develop an attitude of service toward all living beings. Give special attention to human beings, those who follow religious principles, and especially pure devotees of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
3
Do not stop at formally offering respect to the Lord and His devotees; actually serve them. The Lord is especially pleased by sincere service to His pure devotees.

Key points from the purport

According to Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura, the highest duty for devotees of the Supreme Lord is to establish friendship with those who have completely surrendered to Kṛṣṇa and who have thus achieved śaraṇāgati, shelter at the Lord’s lotus feet.
One should render service to both the Lord and His devotees, since the Lord is more pleased by sincere service rendered to His pure devotees.
One should not only officially offer respect to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, His devotees and His worshipful paraphernalia, but should actually render service to the representatives of the Lord, who are known as mahā-bhāgavatas.

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

Chapter 3: Liberation from the Illusory Energy

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Especially, one should serve and learn from those who are pure devotees of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. 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.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in chapter 11.3

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

evamthus
kṛṣṇa-ātma-nātheṣufor those who take Lord Kṛṣṇa as the Lord of their soul
manuṣyeṣuhumans
caand
sauhṛdamfriendship
paricaryāmservice
caand
ubhayatrarendered to both (moving and nonmoving creatures, or the Lord and His devotees)

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
Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct
Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 11.3
In this verse: “religious”, “principles”
Bhakti · Devotion and loving service
How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 11.3
In this verse: “devotees”
Sakhya · Sacred friendship
The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 11.3
In this verse: “friendship”

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Where could I move beyond respectful words and offer actual service to a devotee?

Practice

Ask a devotee what small practical help you can offer today, and carry it out.

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayCultivate Friendship and Sincere 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 11.3.29? Get an answer from the verses themselves.

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