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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
11.3.3211.3.34

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.3.33

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

इति भागवतान् धर्मान् शिक्षन् भक्त्या तदुत्थया ।

नारायणपरो मायामञ्जस्तरति दुस्तराम् ॥ ३३ ॥

iti bhāgavatān dharmān

śikṣan bhaktyā tad-utthayā

nārāyaṇa-paro māyām

añjas tarati dustarām

Translation

Thus learning the science of devotional service and practically engaging in the devotional service of the Lord, the devotee comes to the stage of love of Godhead. And by complete devotion to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Nārāyaṇa, the devotee easily crosses over the illusory energy, māyā, which is extremely difficult to cross.

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.

Love of Godhead Goes Beyond Liberation

  1. 1

    By learning the science of devotional service and putting it into practice, a devotee develops love of Godhead. Complete devotion to Nārāyaṇa makes it easy to cross māyā, the otherwise difficult illusory energy.

  2. 2

    Liberation is a secondary result of pure love of Godhead, not devotional service’s principal goal. By obeying the Lord and taking full shelter of Him, one receives liberation automatically.

  3. 3

    Actual happiness comes from loving Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, without material desires or mental speculation. Pure devotional service means serving Him favorably, without seeking material profit.

Key points from the purport
  • Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī has pointed out that mukti, or liberation, which is described in this verse by the words māyām añjas tarati dustarām, is actually a by-product or secondary result of pure love of Godhead.
  • Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam teaches the science of devotional service, in which the ultimate goal is pure love of Godhead.
  • One should not approach the Supreme Personality of Godhead for liberation, since one is automatically liberated by obeying the order of the Lord.

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. itithus
  2. bhāgavatān dharmānthe science of devotional service
  3. śikṣanstudying
  4. bhaktyāby devotion
  5. tat-utthayāgenerated by it
  6. nārāyaṇa-paraḥcompletely devoted to the Supreme Lord, Nārāyaṇa
  7. māyāmthe illusory energy
  8. añjaḥeasily
  9. taraticrosses beyond
  10. dustarāmimpossible to cross
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”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “māyā”, “material”

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 11.3

    In this verse: “love”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Am I seeking to love and serve Kṛṣṇa, or mainly hoping to gain something for myself?

Practice

Spend a few minutes studying this verse as service to Kṛṣṇa, without asking for material gain or liberation.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayLove of Godhead Goes Beyond LiberationThis 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 11.3.33? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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