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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
11.8.3611.8.38

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.8.37

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The prostitute Piṅgalāsince 11.8.30inside 5 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Kṛṣṇa → UddhavaThe avadhūta → King YaduPiṅgalā → herself
A turning point forPiṅgalā· An inward realization

नूनं मे भगवान् प्रीतो विष्णु: केनापि कर्मणा ।

निर्वेदोऽयं दुराशाया यन्मे जात: सुखावह: ॥ ३७ ॥

nūnaṁ me bhagavān prīto

viṣṇuḥ kenāpi karmaṇā

nirvedo ’yaṁ durāśāyā

yan me jātaḥ sukhāvahaḥ

Translation

Although I most stubbornly hoped to enjoy the material world, somehow or other detachment has arisen in my heart, and it is making me very happy. Therefore the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Viṣṇu, must be pleased with me. Without even knowing it, I must have performed some activity satisfying to Him.

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.

Detachment Can Bring Happiness

  1. 1

    Piṅgalā had stubbornly hoped to enjoy the material world. Yet detachment has now arisen in her heart.

  2. 2

    This detachment is making her happy, rather than leaving her deprived.

  3. 3

    She concludes that the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Viṣṇu, must be pleased with her. She wonders whether she unknowingly performed some activity that satisfied Him.

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 received from her is that hopes for sense gratification are the root cause of all suffering. Therefore, only one who has given up such hankering can fix himself in meditation upon the Personality of Godhead and achieve transcendental peace.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.8
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. nūnamundoubtedly
  2. mewith me
  3. bhagavānthe Supreme Lord
  4. prītaḥis pleased
  5. viṣṇuḥthe Personality of Godhead
  6. kena apiby some
  7. karmaṇāactivity
  8. nirvedaḥdetachment from sense gratification
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

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

    In this verse: “detachment”

  • 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

Have I experienced relief when a strong desire for material enjoyment loosened its hold?

Practice

Recall one desire that has weakened, and take a moment to appreciate the happiness that came with letting it go.

5

The story around it

The stories this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDetachment Can Bring HappinessThis 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 11.8.37? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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