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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.
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Canto 11 · Chapter 8: The Story of Piṅgalā
11.8.4211.8.44

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.8.43

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The avadhūtasince 11.8.43inside 4 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Kṛṣṇa → UddhavaThe avadhūta → King Yadu

श्रीब्राह्मण उवाच

एवं व्यवसितमतिर्दुराशां कान्ततर्षजाम् ।

छित्त्वोपशममास्थाय शय्यामुपविवेश सा ॥ ४३ ॥

śrī-brāhmaṇa uvāca

evaṁ vyavasita-matir

durāśāṁ kānta-tarṣa-jām

chittvopaśamam āsthāya

śayyām upaviveśa sā

Translation

The avadhūta said: Thus, her mind completely made up, Piṅgalā cut off all her sinful desires to enjoy sex pleasure with lovers, and she became situated in perfect peace. Then she sat down on her bed.

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.

Firm Resolve Brings Peace

  1. 1

    Piṅgalā’s mind was completely made up. Her decision to give up her sinful desires was firm.

  2. 2

    She cut off her hankering to enjoy sex pleasure with lovers. She no longer held on to the desires that had troubled her.

  3. 3

    Having given up those desires, Piṅgalā became situated in perfect peace. Then she sat down on her bed.

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:

There was once a prostitute named Piṅgalā in the city of Videha, and from her the avadhūta learned another lesson. One day she dressed herself in very attractive clothing and ornaments and was waiting from sunset until midnight for a customer.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.8
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śrī-brāhmaṇaḥ uvācathe avadhūta said
  2. evamthus
  3. vyavasitadetermined
  4. matiḥher mind
  5. durāśāmthe sinful desire
  6. kāntalovers
  7. tarṣahankering for
  8. jāmcaused by
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

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 11.8

    In this verse: “lovers”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 11.8

    In this verse: “sinful”

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

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

    In this verse: “give up”

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

What desire am I holding on to that disturbs my peace?

Practice

Choose one desire for sense pleasure that troubles you, resolve not to pursue it today, and sit quietly for a moment.

5

The story around it

The stories this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayFirm Resolve Brings PeaceThis 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 11.8.43? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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