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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 8: The Story of Piṅgalā
11.8.111.8.3

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.8.2

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The saintly brāhmaṇasince 11.8.1inside 4 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Kṛṣṇa → UddhavaThe avadhūta → King Yadu

ग्रासं सुमृष्टं विरसं महान्तं स्तोकमेव वा ।

यद‍ृच्छयैवापतितं ग्रसेदाजगरोऽक्रिय: ॥ २ ॥

grāsaṁ su-mṛṣṭaṁ virasaṁ

mahāntaṁ stokam eva vā

yadṛcchayaivāpatitaṁ

grased ājagaro ’kriyaḥ

Translation

Following the example of the python, one should give up material endeavors and accept for one’s maintenance food that comes of its own accord, whether such food be delicious or tasteless, ample or meager.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

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.

Accept Simple Maintenance Like the Python

  1. 1

    The python provides an example of accepting food that comes of its own accord.

  2. 2

    One should accept such food whether it is delicious or tasteless.

  3. 3

    Whether the amount is ample or meager, the teaching is to give up material endeavors for obtaining preferred food.

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 8: The Story of Piṅgalā

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

The instruction the avadhūta brāhmaṇa received from the python is that an intelligent person should cultivate a mentality of detachment and should maintain his body by accepting whatever comes of its own accord or is easily obtained. In this way, he should remain always engaged in the worship of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.8
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. grāsamfood
  2. su-mṛṣṭamclean and delicious
  3. virasamtasteless
  4. mahāntama large quantity
  5. stokama small quantity
  6. evacertainly
  7. vāeither
  8. yadṛcchayāwithout personal endeavor
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

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 11.8

    In this verse: “give up”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 11.8

    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

How much does my contentment depend on receiving the food I prefer?

Practice

At one meal today, accept the food available without complaining about its taste.

5

The story around it

The stories this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayAccept Simple Maintenance Like the PythonThis 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 11.8.2? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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