Adhyaya 11

Verse 1

श्रीभगवानुवाच बद्धो मुक्त इति व्याख्या गुणतो मे न वस्तुत: । गुणस्य मायामूलत्वान्न मे मोक्षो न बन्धनम् ॥ १ ॥

The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: My dear Uddhava, due to the influence of the material modes of nature, which are under My control, the living entity is sometimes designated as conditioned and sometimes as liberated. In fact, however, the soul is never really bound up or liberated, and since I am the Supreme Lord of māyā, which is the cause of the modes of nature, I also am never to be considered liberated or in bondage.

Verse 2

शोकमोहौ सुखं दु:खं देहापत्तिश्च मायया । स्वप्नो यथात्मन: ख्याति: संसृतिर्न तु वास्तवी ॥ २ ॥

Just as a dream is merely a creation of one’s intelligence but has no actual substance, similarly, material lamentation, illusion, happiness, distress and the acceptance of the material body under the influence of māyā are all creations of My illusory energy. In other words, material existence has no essential reality.

Verse 3

विद्याविद्ये मम तनू विद्ध्युद्धव शरीरिणाम् । मोक्षबन्धकरी आद्ये मायया मे विनिर्मिते ॥ ३ ॥

O Uddhava, both knowledge and ignorance, being products of māyā, are expansions of My potency. Both knowledge and ignorance are beginningless and perpetually award liberation and bondage to embodied living beings.

Verse 4

एकस्यैव ममांशस्य जीवस्यैव महामते । बन्धोऽस्याविद्ययानादिर्विद्यया च तथेतर: ॥ ४ ॥

O most intelligent Uddhava, the living entity, called jīva, is part and parcel of Me, but due to ignorance he has been suffering in material bondage since time immemorial. By knowledge, however, he can be liberated.

Verse 5

अथ बद्धस्य मुक्तस्य वैलक्षण्यं वदामि ते । विरुद्धधर्मिणोस्तात स्थितयोरेकधर्मिणि ॥ ५ ॥

Thus, My dear Uddhava, in the same material body we find opposing characteristics, such as great happiness and misery. That is because both the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is eternally liberated, as well as the conditioned soul are within the body. I shall now speak to you about their different characteristics.

Verse 6

सुपर्णावेतौ सद‍ृशौ सखायौ यद‍ृच्छयैतौ कृतनीडौ च वृक्षे । एकस्तयो: खादति पिप्पलान्न- मन्यो निरन्नोऽपि बलेन भूयान् ॥ ६ ॥

By chance, two birds have made a nest together in the same tree. The two birds are friends and are of a similar nature. One of them, however, is eating the fruits of the tree, whereas the other, who does not eat the fruits, is in a superior position due to His potency.

Verse 7

आत्मानमन्यं च स वेद विद्वा- नपिप्पलादो न तु पिप्पलाद: । योऽविद्यया युक् स तु नित्यबद्धो विद्यामयो य: स तु नित्यमुक्त: ॥ ७ ॥

The bird who does not eat the fruits of the tree is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who by His omniscience perfectly understands His own position and that of the conditioned living entity, represented by the eating bird. That living entity, on the other hand, does not understand himself or the Lord. He is covered by ignorance and is thus called eternally conditioned, whereas the Personality of Godhead, being full of perfect knowledge, is eternally liberated.

Verse 8

देहस्थोऽपि न देहस्थो विद्वान् स्वप्नाद् यथोत्थित: । अदेहस्थोऽपि देहस्थ: कुमति: स्वप्नद‍ृग् यथा ॥ ८ ॥

One who is enlightened in self-realization, although living within the material body, sees himself as transcendental to the body, just as one who has arisen from a dream gives up identification with the dream body. A foolish person, however, although not identical with his material body but transcendental to it, thinks himself to be situated in the body, just as one who is dreaming sees himself as situated in an imaginary body.

Verse 9

इन्द्रियैरिन्द्रियार्थेषु गुणैरपि गुणेषु च । गृह्यमाणेष्वहं कुर्यान्न विद्वान् यस्त्वविक्रिय: ॥ ९ ॥

An enlightened person who is free from the contamination of material desire does not consider himself to be the performer of bodily activities; rather, he knows that in all such activities it is only the senses, born of the modes of nature, that are contacting sense objects born of the same modes of nature.

Verse 10

दैवाधीने शरीरेऽस्मिन् गुणभाव्येन कर्मणा । वर्तमानोऽबुधस्तत्र कर्तास्मीति निबध्यते ॥ १० ॥

An unintelligent person situated within the body created by his previous fruitive activities thinks, “I am the performer of action.” Bewildered by false ego, such a foolish person is therefore bound up by fruitive activities, which are in fact carried out by the modes of nature.

Verse 11

एवं विरक्त: शयन आसनाटनमज्जने । दर्शनस्पर्शनघ्राणभोजनश्रवणादिषु । न तथा बध्यते विद्वान् तत्र तत्रादयन् गुणान् ॥ ११ ॥

An enlightened person fixed in detachment engages his body in lying down, sitting, walking, bathing, seeing, touching, smelling, eating, hearing and so on, but is never entangled by such activities. Indeed, remaining as a witness to all bodily functions, he merely engages his bodily senses with their objects and does not become entangled like an unintelligent person.

Verse 12

प्रकृतिस्थोऽप्यसंसक्तो यथा खं सवितानिल: । वैशारद्येक्षयासङ्गशितया छिन्नसंशय: ॥ १२ ॥ प्रतिबुद्ध इव स्वप्नान्नानात्वाद् विनिवर्तते ॥ १३ ॥

Although the sky, or space, is the resting place of everything, the sky does not mix with anything, nor is it entangled. Similarly, the sun is not at all attached to the water in which it is reflected within innumerable reservoirs, and the mighty wind blowing everywhere is not affected by the innumerable aromas and atmospheres through which it passes. In the same way, a self-realized soul is completely detached from the material body and the material world around it. He is like a person who has awakened and arisen from a dream. With expert vision sharpened by detachment, the self-realized soul cuts all doubts to pieces through knowledge of the self and completely withdraws his consciousness from the expansion of material variety.

Verse 13

प्रकृतिस्थोऽप्यसंसक्तो यथा खं सवितानिल: । वैशारद्येक्षयासङ्गशितया छिन्नसंशय: ॥ १२ ॥ प्रतिबुद्ध इव स्वप्नान्नानात्वाद् विनिवर्तते ॥ १३ ॥

Although the sky, or space, is the resting place of everything, the sky does not mix with anything, nor is it entangled. Similarly, the sun is not at all attached to the water in which it is reflected within innumerable reservoirs, and the mighty wind blowing everywhere is not affected by the innumerable aromas and atmospheres through which it passes. In the same way, a self-realized soul is completely detached from the material body and the material world around it. He is like a person who has awakened and arisen from a dream. With expert vision sharpened by detachment, the self-realized soul cuts all doubts to pieces through knowledge of the self and completely withdraws his consciousness from the expansion of material variety.

Verse 14

यस्य स्युर्वीतसङ्कल्पा: प्राणेन्द्रियमनोधियाम् । वृत्तय: स विनिर्मुक्तो देहस्थोऽपि हि तद्गुणै: ॥ १४ ॥

A person is considered to be completely liberated from the gross and subtle material bodies when all the functions of his vital energy, senses, mind and intelligence are performed without material desire. Such a person, although situated within the body, is not entangled.

Verse 15

यस्यात्मा हिंस्यते हिंस्रैर्येन किञ्चिद् यद‍ृच्छया । अर्च्यते वा क्व‍‍चित्तत्र न व्यतिक्रियते बुध: ॥ १५ ॥

Sometimes for no apparent reason one’s body is attacked by cruel people or violent animals. At other times and in other places, one will suddenly be offered great respect or worship. One who becomes neither angry when attacked nor satisfied when worshiped is actually intelligent.

Verse 16

न स्तुवीत न निन्देत कुर्वत: साध्वसाधु वा । वदतो गुणदोषाभ्यां वर्जित: समद‍ृङ्‍मुनि: ॥ १६ ॥

A saintly sage sees with equal vision and therefore is not affected by that which is materially good or bad. Indeed, although he observes others performing good and bad work and speaking properly and improperly, the sage does not praise or criticize anyone.

Verse 17

न कुर्यान्न वदेत् किञ्चिन्न ध्यायेत् साध्वसाधु वा । आत्मारामोऽनया वृत्त्या विचरेज्जडवन्मुनि: ॥ १७ ॥

For the purpose of maintaining his body, a liberated sage should not act, speak or contemplate in terms of material good or bad. Rather, he should be detached in all material circumstances, and taking pleasure in self-realization, he should wander about engaged in this liberated lifestyle, appearing like a retarded person to outsiders.

Verse 18

शब्दब्रह्मणि निष्णातो न निष्णायात् परे यदि । श्रमस्तस्य श्रमफलो ह्यधेनुमिव रक्षत: ॥ १८ ॥

If through meticulous study one becomes expert in reading Vedic literature but makes no endeavor to fix one’s mind on the Supreme Personality of Godhead, then one’s endeavor is certainly like that of a man who works very hard to take care of a cow that gives no milk. In other words, the fruit of one’s laborious study of Vedic knowledge will simply be the labor itself. There will be no other tangible result.

Verse 19

गां दुग्धदोहामसतीं च भार्यां देहं पराधीनमसत्प्रजां च । वित्तं त्वतीर्थीकृतमङ्ग वाचं हीनां मया रक्षति दु:खदु:खी ॥ १९ ॥

My dear Uddhava, that man is certainly most miserable who takes care of a cow that gives no milk, an unchaste wife, a body totally dependent on others, useless children or wealth not utilized for the right purpose. Similarly, one who studies Vedic knowledge devoid of My glories is also most miserable.

Verse 20

यस्यां न मे पावनमङ्ग कर्म स्थित्युद्भ‍वप्राणनिरोधमस्य । लीलावतारेप्सितजन्म वा स्याद् वन्ध्यां गिरं तां बिभृयान्न धीर: ॥ २० ॥

My dear Uddhava, an intelligent person should never take to literatures that do not contain descriptions of My activities, which purify the whole universe. Indeed, I create, maintain and annihilate the entire material manifestation. Among all My pastime incarnations, the most beloved are Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma. Any so-called knowledge that does not recognize these activities of Mine is simply barren and is not acceptable to those who are actually intelligent.

Verse 21

एवं जिज्ञासयापोह्य नानात्वभ्रममात्मनि । उपारमेत विरजं मनो मय्यर्प्य सर्वगे ॥ २१ ॥

Coming to this conclusion of all knowledge, one should give up the false conception of material variety that one imposes upon the soul and thus cease one’s material existence. The mind should be fixed on Me, since I am all-pervading.

Verse 22

यद्यनीशो धारयितुं मनो ब्रह्मणि निश्चलम् । मयि सर्वाणि कर्माणि निरपेक्ष: समाचर ॥ २२ ॥

My dear Uddhava, if you are not able to free your mind from all material disturbance and thus absorb it completely on the spiritual platform, then perform all your activities as an offering to Me, without trying to enjoy the fruits.

Verse 23

श्रद्धालुर्मत्कथा: श‍ृण्वन् सुभद्रा लोकपावनी: । गायन्ननुस्मरन् कर्म जन्म चाभिनयन् मुहु: ॥ २३ ॥ मदर्थे धर्मकामार्थानाचरन् मदपाश्रय: । लभते निश्चलां भक्तिं मय्युद्धव सनातने ॥ २४ ॥

My dear Uddhava, narrations of My pastimes and qualities are all-auspicious and purify the entire universe. A faithful person who constantly hears, glorifies and remembers such transcendental activities, who through dramatic performances relives My pastimes, beginning with My appearance, and who takes full shelter of Me, dedicating his religious, sensual and occupational activities for My satisfaction, certainly obtains unflinching devotional service to Me, the eternal Personality of Godhead.

Verse 24

श्रद्धालुर्मत्कथा: श‍ृण्वन् सुभद्रा लोकपावनी: । गायन्ननुस्मरन् कर्म जन्म चाभिनयन् मुहु: ॥ २३ ॥ मदर्थे धर्मकामार्थानाचरन् मदपाश्रय: । लभते निश्चलां भक्तिं मय्युद्धव सनातने ॥ २४ ॥

My dear Uddhava, narrations of My pastimes and qualities are all-auspicious and purify the entire universe. A faithful person who constantly hears, glorifies and remembers such transcendental activities, who through dramatic performances relives My pastimes, beginning with My appearance, and who takes full shelter of Me, dedicating his religious, sensual and occupational activities for My satisfaction, certainly obtains unflinching devotional service to Me, the eternal Personality of Godhead.

Verse 25

सत्सङ्गलब्धया भक्त्या मयि मां स उपासिता । स वै मे दर्शितं सद्भ‍िरञ्जसा विन्दते पदम् ॥ २५ ॥

One who has obtained pure devotional service by association with My devotees always engages in worshiping Me. Thus he very easily goes to My abode, which is revealed by My pure devotees.

Verse 26

श्रीउद्धव उवाच साधुस्तवोत्तमश्लोक मत: कीद‍ृग्विध: प्रभो । भक्तिस्त्वय्युपयुज्येत कीद‍ृशी सद्भ‍िराद‍ृता ॥ २६ ॥ एतन्मे पुरुषाध्यक्ष लोकाध्यक्ष जगत्प्रभो । प्रणतायानुरक्ताय प्रपन्नाय च कथ्यताम् ॥ २७ ॥

Śrī Uddhava said: My dear Lord, O Supreme Personality of Godhead, what type of person do You consider to be a true devotee, and what type of devotional service is approved by great devotees as worthy of being offered to Your Lordship? My dear ruler of the universal controllers, O Lord of Vaikuṇṭha and almighty God of the universe, I am Your devotee, and because I love You I have no other shelter than You. Therefore please explain this to me.

Verse 27

श्रीउद्धव उवाच साधुस्तवोत्तमश्लोक मत: कीद‍ृग्विध: प्रभो । भक्तिस्त्वय्युपयुज्येत कीद‍ृशी सद्भ‍िराद‍ृता ॥ २६ ॥ एतन्मे पुरुषाध्यक्ष लोकाध्यक्ष जगत्प्रभो । प्रणतायानुरक्ताय प्रपन्नाय च कथ्यताम् ॥ २७ ॥

Śrī Uddhava said: My dear Lord, O Supreme Personality of Godhead, what type of person do You consider to be a true devotee, and what type of devotional service is approved by great devotees as worthy of being offered to Your Lordship? My dear ruler of the universal controllers, O Lord of Vaikuṇṭha and almighty God of the universe, I am Your devotee, and because I love You I have no other shelter than You. Therefore please explain this to me.

Verse 28

त्वं ब्रह्म परमं व्योम पुरुष: प्रकृते: पर: । अवतीर्णोऽसि भगवन् स्वेच्छोपात्तपृथग्वपु: ॥ २८ ॥

My dear Lord, as the Absolute Truth You are transcendental to material nature, and like the sky You are never entangled in any way. Still, being controlled by Your devotees’ love, You accept many different forms, incarnating according to Your devotees’ desires.

Verse 29

श्रीभगवानुवाच कृपालुरकृतद्रोहस्तितिक्षु: सर्वदेहिनाम् । सत्यसारोऽनवद्यात्मा सम: सर्वोपकारक: ॥ २९ ॥ कामैरहतधीर्दान्तो मृदु: शुचिरकिञ्चन: । अनीहो मितभुक् शान्त: स्थिरो मच्छरणो मुनि: ॥ ३० ॥ अप्रमत्तो गभीरात्मा धृतिमाञ्जितषड्‍गुण: । अमानी मानद: कल्यो मैत्र: कारुणिक: कवि: ॥ ३१ ॥ आज्ञायैवं गुणान् दोषान् मयादिष्टानपि स्वकान् । धर्मान् सन्त्यज्य य: सर्वान् मां भजेत स तु सत्तम: ॥ ३२ ॥

The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: O Uddhava, a saintly person is merciful and never injures others. Even if others are aggressive he is tolerant and forgiving toward all living entities. His strength and meaning in life come from the truth itself, he is free from all envy and jealousy, and his mind is equal in material happiness and distress. Thus, he dedicates his time to work for the welfare of all others. His intelligence is never bewildered by material desires, and he has controlled his senses. His behavior is always pleasing, never harsh and always exemplary, and he is free from possessiveness. He never endeavors in ordinary, worldly activities, and he strictly controls his eating. He therefore always remains peaceful and steady. A saintly person is thoughtful and accepts Me as his only shelter. Such a person is very cautious in the execution of his duties and is never subject to superficial transformations, because he is steady and noble, even in a distressing situation. He has conquered over the six material qualities — namely hunger, thirst, lamentation, illusion, old age and death. He is free from all desire for prestige and offers honor to others. He is expert in reviving the Kṛṣṇa consciousness of others and therefore never cheats anyone. Rather, he is a well-wishing friend to all, being most merciful. Such a saintly person must be considered the most learned of men. He perfectly understands that the ordinary religious duties prescribed by Me in various Vedic scriptures possess favorable qualities that purify the performer, and he knows that neglect of such duties constitutes a discrepancy in one’s life. Having taken complete shelter at My lotus feet, however, a saintly person ultimately renounces such ordinary religious duties and worships Me alone. He is thus considered to be the best among all living entities.

Verse 30

श्रीभगवानुवाच कृपालुरकृतद्रोहस्तितिक्षु: सर्वदेहिनाम् । सत्यसारोऽनवद्यात्मा सम: सर्वोपकारक: ॥ २९ ॥ कामैरहतधीर्दान्तो मृदु: शुचिरकिञ्चन: । अनीहो मितभुक् शान्त: स्थिरो मच्छरणो मुनि: ॥ ३० ॥ अप्रमत्तो गभीरात्मा धृतिमाञ्जितषड्‍गुण: । अमानी मानद: कल्यो मैत्र: कारुणिक: कवि: ॥ ३१ ॥ आज्ञायैवं गुणान् दोषान् मयादिष्टानपि स्वकान् । धर्मान् सन्त्यज्य य: सर्वान् मां भजेत स तु सत्तम: ॥ ३२ ॥

The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: O Uddhava, a saintly person is merciful and never injures others. Even if others are aggressive he is tolerant and forgiving toward all living entities. His strength and meaning in life come from the truth itself, he is free from all envy and jealousy, and his mind is equal in material happiness and distress. Thus, he dedicates his time to work for the welfare of all others. His intelligence is never bewildered by material desires, and he has controlled his senses. His behavior is always pleasing, never harsh and always exemplary, and he is free from possessiveness. He never endeavors in ordinary, worldly activities, and he strictly controls his eating. He therefore always remains peaceful and steady. A saintly person is thoughtful and accepts Me as his only shelter. Such a person is very cautious in the execution of his duties and is never subject to superficial transformations, because he is steady and noble, even in a distressing situation. He has conquered over the six material qualities — namely hunger, thirst, lamentation, illusion, old age and death. He is free from all desire for prestige and offers honor to others. He is expert in reviving the Kṛṣṇa consciousness of others and therefore never cheats anyone. Rather, he is a well-wishing friend to all, being most merciful. Such a saintly person must be considered the most learned of men. He perfectly understands that the ordinary religious duties prescribed by Me in various Vedic scriptures possess favorable qualities that purify the performer, and he knows that neglect of such duties constitutes a discrepancy in one’s life. Having taken complete shelter at My lotus feet, however, a saintly person ultimately renounces such ordinary religious duties and worships Me alone. He is thus considered to be the best among all living entities.

Verse 31

श्रीभगवानुवाच कृपालुरकृतद्रोहस्तितिक्षु: सर्वदेहिनाम् । सत्यसारोऽनवद्यात्मा सम: सर्वोपकारक: ॥ २९ ॥ कामैरहतधीर्दान्तो मृदु: शुचिरकिञ्चन: । अनीहो मितभुक् शान्त: स्थिरो मच्छरणो मुनि: ॥ ३० ॥ अप्रमत्तो गभीरात्मा धृतिमाञ्जितषड्‍गुण: । अमानी मानद: कल्यो मैत्र: कारुणिक: कवि: ॥ ३१ ॥ आज्ञायैवं गुणान् दोषान् मयादिष्टानपि स्वकान् । धर्मान् सन्त्यज्य य: सर्वान् मां भजेत स तु सत्तम: ॥ ३२ ॥

The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: O Uddhava, a saintly person is merciful and never injures others. Even if others are aggressive he is tolerant and forgiving toward all living entities. His strength and meaning in life come from the truth itself, he is free from all envy and jealousy, and his mind is equal in material happiness and distress. Thus, he dedicates his time to work for the welfare of all others. His intelligence is never bewildered by material desires, and he has controlled his senses. His behavior is always pleasing, never harsh and always exemplary, and he is free from possessiveness. He never endeavors in ordinary, worldly activities, and he strictly controls his eating. He therefore always remains peaceful and steady. A saintly person is thoughtful and accepts Me as his only shelter. Such a person is very cautious in the execution of his duties and is never subject to superficial transformations, because he is steady and noble, even in a distressing situation. He has conquered over the six material qualities — namely hunger, thirst, lamentation, illusion, old age and death. He is free from all desire for prestige and offers honor to others. He is expert in reviving the Kṛṣṇa consciousness of others and therefore never cheats anyone. Rather, he is a well-wishing friend to all, being most merciful. Such a saintly person must be considered the most learned of men. He perfectly understands that the ordinary religious duties prescribed by Me in various Vedic scriptures possess favorable qualities that purify the performer, and he knows that neglect of such duties constitutes a discrepancy in one’s life. Having taken complete shelter at My lotus feet, however, a saintly person ultimately renounces such ordinary religious duties and worships Me alone. He is thus considered to be the best among all living entities.

Verse 32

श्रीभगवानुवाच कृपालुरकृतद्रोहस्तितिक्षु: सर्वदेहिनाम् । सत्यसारोऽनवद्यात्मा सम: सर्वोपकारक: ॥ २९ ॥ कामैरहतधीर्दान्तो मृदु: शुचिरकिञ्चन: । अनीहो मितभुक् शान्त: स्थिरो मच्छरणो मुनि: ॥ ३० ॥ अप्रमत्तो गभीरात्मा धृतिमाञ्जितषड्‍गुण: । अमानी मानद: कल्यो मैत्र: कारुणिक: कवि: ॥ ३१ ॥ आज्ञायैवं गुणान् दोषान् मयादिष्टानपि स्वकान् । धर्मान् सन्त्यज्य य: सर्वान् मां भजेत स तु सत्तम: ॥ ३२ ॥

The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: O Uddhava, a saintly person is merciful and never injures others. Even if others are aggressive he is tolerant and forgiving toward all living entities. His strength and meaning in life come from the truth itself, he is free from all envy and jealousy, and his mind is equal in material happiness and distress. Thus, he dedicates his time to work for the welfare of all others. His intelligence is never bewildered by material desires, and he has controlled his senses. His behavior is always pleasing, never harsh and always exemplary, and he is free from possessiveness. He never endeavors in ordinary, worldly activities, and he strictly controls his eating. He therefore always remains peaceful and steady. A saintly person is thoughtful and accepts Me as his only shelter. Such a person is very cautious in the execution of his duties and is never subject to superficial transformations, because he is steady and noble, even in a distressing situation. He has conquered over the six material qualities — namely hunger, thirst, lamentation, illusion, old age and death. He is free from all desire for prestige and offers honor to others. He is expert in reviving the Kṛṣṇa consciousness of others and therefore never cheats anyone. Rather, he is a well-wishing friend to all, being most merciful. Such a saintly person must be considered the most learned of men. He perfectly understands that the ordinary religious duties prescribed by Me in various Vedic scriptures possess favorable qualities that purify the performer, and he knows that neglect of such duties constitutes a discrepancy in one’s life. Having taken complete shelter at My lotus feet, however, a saintly person ultimately renounces such ordinary religious duties and worships Me alone. He is thus considered to be the best among all living entities.

Verse 33

ज्ञात्वाज्ञात्वाथ ये वै मां यावान् यश्चास्मि याद‍ृश: । भजन्त्यनन्यभावेन ते मे भक्ततमा मता: ॥ ३३ ॥

My devotees may or may not know exactly what I am, who I am and how I exist, but if they worship Me with unalloyed love, then I consider them to be the best of devotees.