FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 11.14.31

श्रीउद्धव उवाच यथा त्वामरविन्दाक्ष याद‍ृशं वा यदात्मकम् । ध्यायेन्मुमुक्षुरेतन्मे ध्यानं त्वं वक्तुमर्हसि ॥ ३१ ॥
śrī-uddhava uvāca
[shree-uddhava uvaacha]
yathā tvām aravindākṣa
[yathaa tvaam aravindaaksha]
yādṛśaṁ vā yad-ātmakam
[yaadrisham vaa yad-aatmakam]
dhyāyen mumukṣur etan me
[dhyaayen mumukshur etan me]
dhyānaṁ tvaṁ vaktum arhasi
[dhyaanam tvam vaktum arhasi]
śrī-uddhavaḥ uvāca — Śrī Uddhava said yathā — in what way tvām — You aravinda-akṣa — O my dear lotus-eyed Kṛṣṇa yādṛśam — of what specific nature vā — or yat-ātmakam — in what specific form dhyāyet — should meditate mumukṣuḥ — one who desires liberation etat — this me — to me dhyānam — meditation tvam — You vaktum — to speak or explain arhasi — ought.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
śrī-uddhava uvāca
śrī-uddhavaḥ uvāca
Śrī Uddhava said
yathā tvām aravindākṣa
yathā
in what way
tvām
You
aravinda-akṣa
O my dear lotus-eyed Kṛṣṇa
yādṛśaṁ vā yad-ātmakam
yādṛśam
of what specific nature
vā
or
yat-ātmakam
in what specific form
dhyāyen mumukṣur etan me
dhyāyet
should meditate
mumukṣuḥ
one who desires liberation
etat
this
me
to me
dhyānaṁ tvaṁ vaktum arhasi
dhyānam
meditation
tvam
You
vaktum
to speak or explain
arhasi
ought.
Śrī Uddhava said: My dear lotus-eyed Kṛṣṇa, by what process should one who desires liberation meditate upon You, of what specific nature should his meditation be, and upon which form should he meditate? Kindly explain to me this topic of meditation.

It has already been elaborately explained by the Supreme Lord that without loving devotional service rendered to Him in the association of devotees, no other process of self-realization will work. Therefore it may be asked why Uddhava is again referring to the system of meditation, dhyāna. The ācāryas explain that one cannot fully appreciate the beauty and perfection of bhakti-yoga unless one sees its superiority to all other processes. Through comparative analysis, the devotees become fully ecstatic in their appreciation of bhakti-yoga. It should also be understood that although Uddhava asks about those who aspire for liberation, he is not actually a mumukṣu, or salvationist; rather, he is asking questions for the benefit of those who are not on the platform of love of Godhead. Uddhava wants to hear this knowledge for his personal appreciation and so that those who pursue salvation, or liberation, can be protected and redirected to the path of pure devotional service to the Supreme Lord.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
Uddhava said: My dear lotus-eyed Kṛṣṇa, by what process should one who desires liberation meditate upon you? What are the details of the object of meditation and what is the object of meditation? Kindly explain to me this topic of meditation. The Lord has confirmed that without bhakti no process yields its results. But without knowledge of a method in all these processes, the goal sought by the path will not give happiness. Uddhava therefore asks the method of meditation in bhakti for those desiring liberation. The word yathā indicates “What type of method should be used?” Yādṛśam indicates “What are the details of the object of meditation?” Yad-ātmakam indicates “What is the form on which one meditates?” Instead of dhyāyen mumukṣur etan me dhyānaṁ tvaṁ vaktum arhasi which is easier to understand, there is another version with dhyāyen mumukṣur etan me dhyanam me vaktum arhasi. The meaning is as follows. You should tell me how those desiring liberation meditate on you. “What is the use of asking about meditation for persons desiring liberation, since you are a pure devotee? You should ask how you can meditate on me.” With folded hands Uddhava shows the Lord’s two feet. “This is my meditation (dhyanam me).”
Uddhava asks how a liberation-seeker should meditate on the Lord — by what process, of what nature, on which form? He asks for the practical specifics.
Reflection Questions
  • What do I actually know about the form, process, and quality of my own meditation?
  • Where would a teacher's specifics most help?
📝 My note

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