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

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Canto 10 · The Summum Bonum · 90 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 10 · Chapter 85: Lord Kṛṣṇa Instructs Vasudeva and Retrieves Devakī’s Sons
10.85.1010.85.12

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.85.11

Āśraya· The supreme shelter
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Vasudevasince 10.85.3inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

भूतानामसि भूतादिरिन्द्रियाणां च तैजस: ।

वैकारिको विकल्पानां प्रधानमनुशायिनम् ॥ ११ ॥

bhūtānām asi bhūtādir

indriyāṇāṁ ca taijasaḥ

vaikāriko vikalpānāṁ

pradhānam anuśāyinam

Translation

You are false ego in the mode of ignorance, which is the source of the physical elements; false ego in the mode of passion, which is the source of the bodily senses; false ego in the mode of goodness, which is the source of the demigods; and the unmanifest, total material energy, which underlies everything.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

From Canto 10, chapter 14 onward, the translation and purports were completed by Śrīla Prabhupāda's disciples after his departure, and published by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Lord Underlies Material Nature

  1. 1

    The Lord is false ego in the mode of ignorance, the source of the physical elements.

  2. 2

    He is false ego in passion, the source of the bodily senses, and in goodness, the source of the demigods.

  3. 3

    He is also the unmanifest, total material energy underlying everything. These material sources are not independent of Him.

How it feels

Humility and separation → Friendship and reunion. The sweetness of relationship outweighs prestige.

Chapters 80–86 of Canto 10: Sudāmā and reunion with the residents of Vraja. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 85: Lord Kṛṣṇa Instructs Vasudeva and Retrieves Devakī’s Sons

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

After glorifying his sons, Vasudeva fell at Lord Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet and begged Him to drive away the conception that the Lord was his son. Instead, Lord Kṛṣṇa restored that conception by instructing Vasudeva in the science of Godhead, and upon hearing these instructions, Vasudeva became peaceful and free of doubt.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.85
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. bhūtānāmof the physical elements
  2. asiYou are
  3. bhūta-ādiḥtheir source, false ego in the mode of ignorance
  4. indriyāṇāmof the senses
  5. caand
  6. taijasaḥfalse ego in the mode of passion
  7. vaikārikaḥfalse ego in the mode of goodness
  8. vikalpānāmof the creative demigods
  9. pradhānamthe unmanifest, total material energy
  10. anuśāyinamunderlying
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Āśraya · The summum bonum

    Who is the shelter of everything? · Subject 10 of 10

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 10.85

    In this verse: “false ego”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 10.85

    In this verse: “material”

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 can this description help me recognize my dependence on the Lord?

Practice

Look at one physical object today and recall that the material energy underlying it depends on the Lord.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord Underlies Material NatureThis 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 10.85.11? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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