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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
11.7.711.7.9

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.7.8

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Supreme Personality of Godheadsince 11.7.1inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Kṛṣṇa → Uddhava

पुंसोऽयुक्तस्य नानार्थो भ्रम: स गुणदोषभाक् ।

कर्माकर्मविकर्मेति गुणदोषधियो भिदा ॥ ८ ॥

puṁso ’yuktasya nānārtho

bhramaḥ sa guṇa-doṣa-bhāk

karmākarma-vikarmeti

guṇa-doṣa-dhiyo bhidā

Translation

One whose consciousness is bewildered by illusion perceives many differences in value and meaning among material objects. Thus one engages constantly on the platform of material good and evil and is bound by such conceptions. Absorbed in material duality, such a person contemplates the performance of compulsory duties, nonperformance of such duties and performance of forbidden activities.

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.

See Beyond Material Duality to Kṛṣṇa

  1. 1

    When the mind is not fixed on the Supreme Personality of Godhead, it becomes bound by material good and evil. One who develops love of God sees the Lord everywhere, beyond superficial material appearances.

  2. 2

    We are eternal spirit souls, part and parcel of Lord Kṛṣṇa, with no permanent relationship to changing material conditions. Occupational duties become a path to perfection when performed for His satisfaction.

  3. 3

    Material goodness purifies consciousness and provides a favorable starting point for spiritual life. Its purpose is fulfilled by rising to Kṛṣṇa consciousness, not by remaining satisfied with ordinary piety.

Key points from the purport
  • Since the material mode of goodness purifies one’s consciousness and creates a hankering for higher knowledge, it is a favorable platform from which to pursue spiritual life, just as the airport is a favorable place from which to travel.
  • Similarly, the material mode of goodness is the most favorable situation from which to move up to the spiritual platform.
  • Therefore if one does not come to the platform of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, his elevation to the material mode of goodness is useless, just as a trip to the airport is useless for one who misses his plane.

The purport's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 2

The purport of SB 11.7.8 quotesSB 6.17.20

This idea is expressed by the saintly King Citraketu in the Sixth Canto of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (6.17.20): “This material world resembles the waves of a constantly flowing river.

The purport of SB 11.7.8 quotesBG 2.45

Therefore Kṛṣṇa advises Arjuna in Bhagavad-gītā (2.45): “The Vedas mainly deal with the subject of the three modes of material nature.

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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:

Uddhava expressed the need for some instruction by which foolish persons who misidentify the body as the self can be convinced to carry out their duties in accordance with the order of the Supreme Lord.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.7
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. puṁsaḥof a person
  2. ayuktasyawhose mind is diverted from the truth
  3. nānāmany
  4. arthaḥvalues or meanings
  5. bhramaḥconfusion
  6. saḥthat
  7. guṇasomething good
  8. doṣasomething bad
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “illusion”, “material”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 11.7

    In this verse: “duties”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 11.7

    In this verse: “favorable”

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 doing my duties only for material results, or for Kṛṣṇa’s satisfaction?

Practice

Choose one duty today and consciously perform it for Kṛṣṇa’s satisfaction.

5

The story around it

The stories this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

The purport quotesSB 6.17.20

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 11.7's connections

Live this todaySee Beyond Material Duality to KṛṣṇaThis 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 11.7.8? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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