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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.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›
Canto 5 · Chapter 11: Jaḍa Bharata Instructs King Rahūgaṇa
5.11.55.11.7

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 5.11.6

Ūti· What drives us to act
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

दु:खं सुखं व्यतिरिक्तं च तीव्रंकालोपपन्नं फलमाव्यनक्ति । आलिङ्‌ग्य मायारचितान्तरात्मास्वदेहिनं संसृतिचक्रकूट: ॥ ६ ॥

duḥkhaṁ sukhaṁ vyatiriktaṁ ca tīvraṁ

kālopapannaṁ phalam āvyanakti

āliṅgya māyā-racitāntarātmā

sva-dehinaṁ saṁsṛti-cakra-kūṭaḥ

Translation

The materialistic mind covering the living entity’s soul carries it to different species of life. This is called continued material existence. Due to the mind, the living entity suffers or enjoys material distress and happiness. Being thus illusioned, the mind further creates pious and impious activities and their karma, and thus the soul becomes conditioned.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Engage the Mind at Kṛṣṇa’s Lotus Feet

  1. 1

    Mental activities under material nature produce happiness and distress. Covered by illusion, the soul continues conditioned life in different bodies and designations.

  2. 2

    The yogic process aims to control the mind and senses. When the mind is controlled, the senses are automatically controlled, freeing the soul from reactions to pious and impious activity.

  3. 3

    When the mind is engaged at Lord Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet, the senses become engaged in His service. One who always thinks of Kṛṣṇa becomes a perfect yogī.

Key points from the purport
  • Being covered by illusion, the living entity eternally continues conditioned life under different designations.
  • When the mind and senses are engaged in devotional service, the living entity naturally becomes Kṛṣṇa conscious.
  • As stated here, māyā-racitāntarātmā sva-dehinaṁ saṁsṛti-cakra-kūṭaḥ: the mind, being most powerful, covers the living entity and puts him in the waves of material existence.

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:

Thus he continuously gets different types of bodies and suffers miserable material conditions. On the basis of mental concoction, social behavior has been formulated.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 5.11
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. duḥkhamunhappiness due to impious activities
  2. sukhamhappiness due to pious activities
  3. vyatiriktamillusion
  4. caalso
  5. tīvramvery severe
  6. kāla-upapannamobtained in the course of time
  7. phalamthe resultant action
  8. āvyanakticreates
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 5.11

    In this verse: “illusioned”, “materialistic”, “illusion”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 5.11

    In this verse: “distress”

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

How could I direct my mind toward Kṛṣṇa rather than let it follow material happiness and distress?

Practice

Spend one quiet minute thinking of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet and your wish to serve Him.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayEngage the Mind at Kṛṣṇa’s Lotus FeetThis 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 5.11.6? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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