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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 7: Lord Kṛṣṇa Instructs Uddhava
11.7.2711.7.29

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.7.28

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śrī Yadusince 11.7.26inside 4 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Kṛṣṇa → UddhavaThe avadhūta → King Yadu

त्वं तु कल्प: कविर्दक्ष: सुभगोऽमृतभाषण: ।

न कर्ता नेहसे किञ्चिज्जडोन्मत्तपिशाचवत् ॥ २८ ॥

tvaṁ tu kalpaḥ kavir dakṣaḥ

su-bhago ’mṛta-bhāṣaṇaḥ

na kartā nehase kiñcij

jaḍonmatta-piśāca-vat

Translation

You, however, although capable, learned, expert, handsome and most eloquent, are not engaged in doing anything, nor do you desire anything; rather, you appear stupefied and maddened as if you were a ghostly creature.

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.

Devotion Is Life's Real Perfection

  1. 1

    The brāhmaṇa was learned, capable, handsome and eloquent. His renunciation was not caused by a lack of opportunity for worldly success.

  2. 2

    Cultivating Kṛṣṇa consciousness and helping others become Kṛṣṇa conscious are meaningful work. Returning to Godhead for eternal bliss and knowledge is the real work of human life.

  3. 3

    A real devotee voluntarily gives up material enjoyment, knowing that love of Kṛṣṇa and service to His lotus feet are life's actual perfection.

Key points from the purport
  • Ignorant persons often think that renounced spiritual life is meant for those who are impotent or homely or incompetent in practical worldly affairs.
  • Still, the avadhūta has renounced material life and taken to Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
  • Although sometimes persons in material distress approach the Supreme Lord for help in material life, a real devotee of Lord Kṛṣṇa voluntarily gives up all types of material enjoyment, knowing that nothing but love of Kṛṣṇa and service to His lotus feet are the actual perfection of 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.

How it feels

Grief and dependence → Detachment. The temporary world becomes a source of spiritual instruction.

Chapters 7–9 of Canto 11: The avadhuta's twenty-four teachers. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 7: Lord Kṛṣṇa Instructs Uddhava

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Within this human body, the living beings can search out the Supreme Lord by positive and negative means and ultimately achieve Him. For this reason the human form of life is most dear to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.7
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tvamyou
  2. tuhowever
  3. kalpaḥcapable
  4. kaviḥlearned
  5. dakṣaḥexpert
  6. su-bhagaḥhandsome
  7. amṛta-bhāṣaṇaḥhaving nectarean speech
  8. naare not
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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 11.7

    In this verse: “knowledge”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 11.7

    In this verse: “material”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 11.7

    In this verse: “devotee”

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

Do I measure a person's success mainly by worldly achievement or by devotion to Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Use one ability you have today to help someone learn about Kṛṣṇa.

5

The story around it

The stories this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDevotion Is Life's Real PerfectionThis 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 11.7.28? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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