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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 5: Nārada Concludes His Teachings to Vasudeva
11.5.4411.5.46

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.5.45

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Nārada Munisince 11.5.43inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitNārada Muni → Vasudeva

त्वमप्येतान् महाभाग धर्मान् भागवतान् श्रुतान् ।

आस्थित: श्रद्धया युक्तो नि:सङ्गो यास्यसे परम् ॥ ४५ ॥

tvam apy etān mahā-bhāga

dharmān bhāgavatān śrutān

āsthitaḥ śraddhayā yukto

niḥsaṅgo yāsyase param

Translation

O greatly fortunate Vasudeva, simply apply with faith these principles of devotional service which you have heard, and thus, being free from material association, you will attain the Supreme.

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.

Deepen Love Through Faithful Devotional Service

  1. 1

    Nārada urged Vasudeva to apply the principles of devotional service with faith. By doing so, he would become free from material association and attain the Supreme.

  2. 2

    Vasudeva was already a personal associate of the Supreme Lord. Yet his natural humility made him determined to perfect his love of Kṛṣṇa.

  3. 3

    Accepting Kṛṣṇa as one’s son gives unlimited opportunity for loving service. The devotee in this relationship serves the Lord as a parent lovingly serves a child.

Key points from the purport
  • Nārada Muni related to Kṛṣṇa’s father, Vasudeva, the story of the enlightenment of King Nimi.
  • Actually, Vasudeva was already a personal associate of the Supreme Lord, but due to his natural humility as a great devotee, he was determined to perfect his love of Kṛṣṇa.
  • Thus we can observe the exalted status of the parents of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

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 5: Nārada Concludes His Teachings to Vasudeva

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

He told Vasudeva that although Lord Kṛṣṇa had become his son, having appeared in this world to free the earth of its burden, he still should not think of Lord Kṛṣṇa as his child, but rather as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Even by meditating upon Kṛṣṇa in a spirit of enmity, such kings as Śiśupāla attained an equal status to Him.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.5
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tvamyou (Vasudeva)
  2. apialso
  3. etānthese
  4. mahā-bhāgaO most fortunate one
  5. dharmānprinciples
  6. bhāgavatānof devotional service
  7. śrutānwhich you have heard
  8. āsthitaḥsituated in
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 11.5

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

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 11.5

    In this verse: “free from”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 11.5

    In this verse: “material”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Am I more concerned with what the Lord supplies or with how I can lovingly serve Him?

Practice

Do one small devotional service today with the intention of giving service rather than receiving a benefit.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDeepen Love Through Faithful 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 11.5.45? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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