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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 9: Detachment from All that Is Material
11.9.2811.9.30

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.9.29

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

लब्ध्वा सुदुर्लभमिदं बहुसम्भवान्ते

मानुष्यमर्थदमनित्यमपीह धीर: ।

तूर्णं यतेत न पतेदनुमृत्यु याव-

न्नि:श्रेयसाय विषय: खलु सर्वत: स्यात् ॥ २९ ॥

labdhvā su-durlabham idaṁ bahu-sambhavānte

mānuṣyam artha-dam anityam apīha dhīraḥ

tūrṇaṁ yateta na pated anu-mṛtyu yāvan

niḥśreyasāya viṣayaḥ khalu sarvataḥ syāt

Translation

After many, many births and deaths one achieves the rare human form of life, which, although temporary, affords one the opportunity to attain the highest perfection. Thus a sober human being should quickly endeavor for the ultimate perfection of life as long as his body, which is always subject to death, has not fallen down and died. After all, sense gratification is available even in the most abominable species of life, whereas Kṛṣṇa consciousness is possible only for a human being.

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.

Use Human Life for Kṛṣṇa Consciousness

  1. 1

    The rare human form is attained after many births and deaths. Although temporary, it offers the opportunity to achieve the highest perfection, Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

  2. 2

    Sense gratification is available even in the lowest forms of life. A sober human being should therefore cultivate real self-interest before death arrives.

  3. 3

    Human life is meant for cultivating Kṛṣṇa consciousness under the guidance of experienced, self-realized devotees. Their association protects us from falling away from devotional service.

Key points from the purport
  • Human life, however, enables one to understand the Absolute Truth and is therefore full of grave responsibility.
  • Since the valuable human life is not eternal, we should do the needful to achieve the highest perfection, Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
  • In conclusion, human life is meant for cultivating Kṛṣṇa consciousness under the guidance of the experienced, self-realized devotees of the Lord.

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

Quoted in the purport ofSB 4.29.53

According to the Bhāgavatam (11.9.29): After many births we have attained this human form; therefore before death comes, we should engage ourselves in the transcendental loving service of the Lord.

Quoted in the purport ofSB 5.14.32

As stated in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (11.9.29): viṣayaḥ khalu sarvataḥ syāt.

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 9: Detachment from All that Is Material

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Seeing that the fragile material body is subject to birth and death, one who is sober should become devoid of material attachment to this body and should properly utilize the rare gift of human life in the pursuit of knowledge, endeavoring always for the achievement of the highest goal.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.9
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. labdhvāhaving obtained
  2. su-durlabhamthat which is very difficult to obtain
  3. idamthis
  4. bahumany
  5. sambhavabirths
  6. anteafter
  7. mānuṣyamhuman form of life
  8. artha-damwhich awards great value
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “sense gratification”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 11.9

    In this verse: “devotional service”, “devotees”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 11.9

    In this verse: “deaths”

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 spiritual effort are you postponing despite the temporary nature of human life?

Practice

Make time today to seek guidance on Kṛṣṇa consciousness from an experienced devotee.

5

The story around it

The stories this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayUse Human Life for Kṛṣṇa ConsciousnessThis 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 11.9.29? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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