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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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Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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
10.85.2410.85.26

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.85.25

Āśraya· The supreme shelter
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Supreme Lordsince 10.85.22inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

खं वायुर्ज्योतिरापो भूस्तत्कृतेषु यथाशयम् ।

आविस्तिरोऽल्पभूर्येको नानात्वं यात्यसावपि ॥ २५ ॥

khaṁ vāyur jyotir āpo bhūs

tat-kṛteṣu yathāśayam

āvis-tiro-’lpa-bhūry eko

nānātvaṁ yāty asāv api

Translation

The elements of ether, air, fire, water and earth become visible, invisible, minute or extensive as they manifest in various objects. Similarly, the Paramātmā, though one, appears to become many.

Read the purport on Vedabase.io

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.

Many Manifestations, One Eternal Paramātmā

  1. 1

    Ether, air, fire, water, and earth appear in different objects as visible or invisible, minute or extensive. This illustrates how the one Paramātmā appears to become many.

  2. 2

    Paramātmā is truly self-illuminating, eternal, aloof from everything, and free from the modes of nature. His manifestations may seem to have the opposite qualities.

  3. 3

    Just as the elements seem to appear and disappear in pots and other objects, Paramātmā seems to appear and disappear in His manifestations. This appearance does not change His eternal nature.

Key points from the purport
  • Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī explains this and the previous verse as follows: The one Paramātmā appears to be many by the influence of the modes of nature that He Himself creates.
  • Because although in truth the Paramātmā is self-illuminating, eternal, aloof from everything, and free of the modes of nature, when He appears as His manifestations He seems to be just the opposite — a multiplicity of temporary objects saturated with the modes of nature.
  • Just as the elements of ether and so on, when manifesting in pots and other things, seem to appear and disappear, so the Paramātmā seems to appear and disappear in His various manifestations.

The purport'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

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:

She said, “Please fulfill my desire in the same way. Please bring back my sons who were killed by Kaṁsa so I may see them once again.”
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.85
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. khamether
  2. vāyuḥair
  3. jyotiḥfire
  4. āpaḥwater
  5. bhūḥearth
  6. tattheir
  7. kṛteṣuin the products
  8. yathā-āśayamaccording to the particular locations
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

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 10.85

    In this verse: “free from”

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 does the example of elements in different objects help you understand apparent change without change in Paramātmā?

Practice

Look at a pot or another object and recall the verse’s distinction between changing manifestations and eternal Paramātmā.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayMany Manifestations, One Eternal ParamātmāThis 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 10.85.25? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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