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
11.3.4711.3.49

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.3.48

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śrī Āvirhotrasince 11.3.43inside 4 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitNārada Muni → VasudevaThe nine Yogendras → King Nimi

लब्ध्वानुग्रह आचार्यात् तेन सन्दर्शितागम: ।

महापुरुषमभ्यर्चेन्मूर्त्याभिमतयात्मन: ॥ ४८ ॥

labdhvānugraha ācāryāt

tena sandarśitāgamaḥ

mahā-puruṣam abhyarcen

mūrtyābhimatayātmanaḥ

Translation

Having obtained the mercy of his spiritual master, who reveals to the disciple the injunctions of Vedic scriptures, the devotee should worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead in the particular personal form of the Lord the devotee finds most attractive.

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.

Learn Worship Through the Spiritual Master’s Mercy

  1. 1

    The spiritual master’s mercy includes formal initiation and instruction in scriptural worship. A bona fide spiritual master must be surrendered to the Supreme Lord, and both teacher and disciple should carefully examine each other’s qualifications.

  2. 2

    The disciple should remember that understanding of Vedic knowledge comes through the spiritual master’s mercy. This relationship is one of service, not the disciple’s sense gratification, and should not be accepted or rejected whimsically.

  3. 3

    Under this guidance, the devotee worships the Supreme Lord in the personal form he finds most attractive. Material things should be accepted or rejected according to Kṛṣṇa’s pleasure, preserving the standard of pure devotional service.

Key points from the purport
  • A bona fide spiritual master must be a soul surrendered at the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord.
  • The bona fide disciple should always remember that his entire understanding of Vedic knowledge is coming through the mercy of his bona fide spiritual master.
  • As stated in this verse, labdhvānugraha ācāryāt: such discrimination can be learned when one receives the mercy of a bona fide spiritual master, who reveals to the sincere disciple the practical application of Vedic knowledge.

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 a devotee obtains the mercy of his spiritual master, who reveals to him the injunctions of Vedic scriptures, he worships the Supreme Personality of Godhead in the particular personal form he finds most attractive. In this way the devotee quickly becomes liberated from all material bondage.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.3
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. labdhvāhaving obtained
  2. anugrahaḥmercy
  3. ācāryātfrom the spiritual master
  4. tenaby him
  5. sandarśitabeing shown
  6. āgamaḥ(the process of worship given by) the vaiṣṇava-tantras
  7. mahā-puruṣamthe Supreme Person
  8. abhyarcetthe disciple should worship
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: “devotee”, “worship”, “devotional service”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “knowledge”, “understanding”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “sense gratification”, “material”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Do I consider how something can serve Kṛṣṇa before accepting or rejecting it?

Practice

Choose one possession you use today and identify a concrete way to engage it in the Lord’s service.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayLearn Worship Through the Spiritual Master’s 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 11.3.48? 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