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

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Canto 5 · The Creative Impetus · 26 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 5 · Chapter 11: Jaḍa Bharata Instructs King Rahūgaṇa
5.11.165.12.1

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 5.11.17

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The brāhmaṇa Jaḍa Bharatasince 5.11.1inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitJaḍa Bharata → King Rahūgaṇa

भ्रातृव्यमेनं तददभ्रवीर्य-

मुपेक्षयाध्येधितमप्रमत्त: ।

गुरोर्हरेश्चरणोपासनास्त्रो

जहि व्यलीकं स्वयमात्ममोषम् ॥ १७ ॥

bhrātṛvyam enaṁ tad adabhra-vīryam

upekṣayādhyedhitam apramattaḥ

guror hareś caraṇopāsanāstro

jahi vyalīkaṁ svayam ātma-moṣam

Translation

This uncontrolled mind is the greatest enemy of the living entity. If one neglects it or gives it a chance, it will grow more and more powerful and will become victorious. Although it is not factual, it is very strong. It covers the constitutional position of the soul. O King, please try to conquer this mind by the weapon of service to the lotus feet of the spiritual master and of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Do this with great care.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Conquer the Mind Through Devotional Service

  1. 1

    The uncontrolled mind covers the soul’s constitutional position and grows stronger when left unchecked. Rather than obeying its demands, one should train it to obey the soul.

  2. 2

    One should become expert in disobeying the mind’s orders. Following the spiritual master’s instructions and engaging in the Lord’s service brings the mind under control.

  3. 3

    Real life begins when one receives the seed of devotional service through the mercy of the guru and Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. By following the spiritual master, one becomes freed from serving the mind.

Key points from the purport
  • It is not that one should obey the orders of the mind.
  • In this way one can control the mind.
  • If one abides by the orders of the spiritual master, by the grace of Kṛṣṇa he is freed from service to the mind.

Śrīla Prabhupāda'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

Misjudgment → Humility and insight. Spiritual insight hides behind social appearances.

Chapters 10–14 of Canto 5: Jaḍa Bharata instructs Rahūgaṇa. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 11: Jaḍa Bharata Instructs King Rahūgaṇa

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Forgetting that he is an eternal servant of Kṛṣṇa and that service to Kṛṣṇa is his only business, one is doomed by material nature to serve the objects of the senses. One should kill mental concoctions by the sword of service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead and His devotee ( guru-kṛṣṇa-prasāde pāya bhakti-latā-bīja).”
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 5.11
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. bhrātṛvyamthe formidable enemy
  2. enamthis mind
  3. tatthat
  4. adabhra-vīryamvery, very powerful
  5. upekṣayāby neglecting
  6. adhyedhitamunnecessarily increased in power
  7. apramattaḥone who is without illusion
  8. guroḥof the spiritual master
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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 5.11

    In this verse: “king”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 5.11

    In this verse: “devotional service”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 5.11

    In this verse: “mercy”

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

Which demand of my mind could I decline in order to give attention to devotional service?

Practice

Today, decline one distracting demand of the mind and use that time to carefully study and follow an instruction on the Lord’s service.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayConquer the Mind Through Devotional ServiceThis 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 5.11.17? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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