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

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Canto 2 · The Cosmic Manifestation · 10 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 2 · Chapter 3: Pure Devotional Service: The Change in Heart
2.3.102.3.12

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 2.3.11

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 2.3.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

एतावानेव यजतामिह नि:श्रेयसोदय: ।

भगवत्यचलो भावो यद् भागवतसंगत: ॥ ११ ॥

etāvān eva yajatām

iha niḥśreyasodayaḥ

bhagavaty acalo bhāvo

yad bhāgavata-saṅgataḥ

Translation

All the different kinds of worshipers of multidemigods can attain the highest perfectional benediction, which is spontaneous attraction unflinchingly fixed upon the Supreme Personality of Godhead, only by the association of the pure devotee of the Lord.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Pure Devotion Grows Through Pure Devotees

  1. 1

    Plans for material enjoyment cannot solve the problems of birth, death, old age and disease. Human life is meant for finding a solution to these problems.

  2. 2

    The demigods and their planets are temporary, but one who reaches the kingdom of God shares in eternal life. Worship aimed at temporary enjoyment does not bring the highest perfection.

  3. 3

    Only through association with pure devotees can one attain spontaneous, unflinching attraction to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Pure devotion is the highest perfection of human life.

Key points from the purport
  • The Bhagavad-gītā affirms this, and the different planets of the demigods are mentioned there, including the one of the supreme demigod, Lord Brahmā.
  • Nor do they believe that different planets are dominated by different demigods.
  • The gross materialist remains in the different material planets, but the devotees of the Lord reach the kingdom of God.”

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 1

The purport of SB 2.3.11 quotesBG 9.25

The Bhagavad-gītā (9.25) affirms: “The worshipers of demigods reach the respective planets of the demigods, and the worshipers of forefathers reach the planets of the forefathers.

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

Death anxiety → Steady attention. The answer to mortality begins with spiritual focus.

Chapters 1–3 of Canto 2: The practice of hearing, remembering and devotion. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 3: Pure Devotional Service: The Change in Heart

Everyone should worship the Supreme Lord and engage the senses in devotion that changes the heart.

Back to this verse in chapter 2.3
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. etāvānall these different kinds of worshipers
  2. evacertainly
  3. yajatāmwhile worshiping
  4. ihain this life
  5. niḥśreyasathe highest benediction
  6. udayaḥdevelopment
  7. bhagavatiunto the Supreme Personality of Godhead
  8. acalaḥunflinching
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 2.3

    In this verse: “devotee”, “worshipers”, “devotion”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 2.3

    In this verse: “material”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 2.3

    In this verse: “death”

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

Am I seeking only temporary benefits, or association that helps me develop pure devotion?

Practice

Spend a few minutes today reading a pure devotee’s explanation of the Bhagavad-gītā.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Śrīla Prabhupāda speaks

His recorded lectures on this verse, and the talks where he quotes it.

1 lecture given on it · quoted in 1 more lecture. Recordings and transcripts on prabhupada.io.

Quoted in 1 other lecture

In each of these he quotes this verse while speaking on another verse or subject. "Find the quote" opens the transcript at that spot.

Live this todayPure Devotion Grows Through Pure DevoteesThis 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.

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