1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 11 · General History · 31 chapters

12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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 9: Detachment from All that Is Material
11.9.1111.9.13

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.9.12

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The saintly brāhmaṇasince 11.9.1inside 4 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Kṛṣṇa → UddhavaThe avadhūta → King Yadu

यस्मिन् मनो लब्धपदं यदेत-

च्छनै: शनैर्मुञ्चति कर्मरेणून् ।

सत्त्वेन वृद्धेन रजस्तमश्च

विधूय निर्वाणमुपैत्यनिन्धनम् ॥ १२ ॥

yasmin mano labdha-padaṁ yad etac

chanaiḥ śanair muñcati karma-reṇūn

sattvena vṛddhena rajas tamaś ca

vidhūya nirvāṇam upaity anindhanam

Translation

The mind can be controlled when it is fixed on the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Having achieved a stable situation, the mind becomes free from polluted desires to execute material activities; thus as the mode of goodness increases in strength, one can completely give up the modes of passion and ignorance, and gradually one transcends even the material mode of goodness. When the mind is freed from the fuel of the modes of nature, the fire of material existence is extinguished. Then one achieves the transcendental platform of direct relationship with the object of his meditation, the Supreme Lord.

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.

Beyond the Modes to the Supreme Lord

  1. 1

    The uncontrolled mind and the interaction of the three modes create obstacles to spiritual advancement. Fixing the mind on the Supreme Personality of Godhead gives it a stable shelter.

  2. 2

    As goodness grows stronger, the mind gradually gives up passion, ignorance and desires for material activities. One must then rise beyond even material goodness to the spiritual platform.

  3. 3

    Freedom from material desires does not mean merging into an impersonal existence. It means reaching a direct relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the reservoir of all pleasure.

Key points from the purport
  • If one can free oneself from the influence of the material modes of passion and ignorance, then life becomes very auspicious.
  • Controlling the mind, and thereby freeing oneself from the influence of the material modes of nature, is the only means of making actual progress in life.
  • As stated in this verse, sattvena vṛddhena: one must become firmly established in the mode of goodness and then gradually rise onto the spiritual platform, where one may dwell in the company of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

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 9: Detachment from All that Is Material

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

The avadhūta brāhmaṇa learned from the foolish, lazy child that by becoming free from anxiety a person becomes capable of worshiping the Supreme Personality of Godhead and experiencing supreme ecstasy. The instruction received from the young girl who kept just one conchshell bracelet on each wrist is that one should remain alone and thus steady one’s mind.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.9
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yasminin which (the Supreme Lord)
  2. manaḥthe mind
  3. labdhahaving obtained
  4. padama permanent situation
  5. yat etatthat very mind
  6. śanaiḥ śanaiḥgradually, step by step
  7. muñcatigives up
  8. karmaof fruitive activities
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 11.9

    In this verse: “give up”, “free from”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 11.9

    In this verse: “material”

  • Śaraṇāgati · Wholehearted surrender

    Relinquishing ownership while entrusting oneself to the Lord. · Theme in SB 11.9

    In this verse: “shelter”

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 think of spiritual freedom merely as relief, or as a relationship with the Supreme Lord?

Practice

Set aside a quiet minute to fix your attention on the Supreme Lord as the reservoir of all pleasure.

5

The story around it

The stories this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayBeyond the Modes to the Supreme LordThis 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 11.9.12? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories