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

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Canto 11 · General History · 31 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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.12.20

Who is speaking and story frame

अयं हि जीवस्त्रिवृदब्जयोनि-

रव्यक्त एको वयसा स आद्य: ।

विश्लिष्टशक्तिर्बहुधेव भाति

बीजानि योनिं प्रतिपद्य यद्वत् ॥ २० ॥

ayaṁ hi jīvas tri-vṛd abja-yonir

avyakta eko vayasā sa ādyaḥ

viśliṣṭa-śaktir bahudheva bhāti

bījāni yoniṁ pratipadya yadvat

Translation

When many seeds are placed in an agricultural field, innumerable manifestations of trees, bushes, vegetables and so on will arise from a single source, the soil. Similarly, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who gives life to all and is eternal, originally exists beyond the scope of the cosmic manifestation. In the course of time, however, the Lord, who is the resting place of the three modes of nature and the source of the universal lotus flower, in which the cosmic manifestation takes place, divides His material potencies and thus appears to be manifest in innumerable forms, although He is one.

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.

One Lord, Innumerable Manifestations

  1. 1

    As many plants arise from seeds placed in one field, innumerable manifestations arise through the Supreme Lord's different potencies. Although He is one, He appears in many forms through these expansions.

  2. 2

    The three modes of material nature are not independent; they remain under the Lord's superior control. All creation takes place within Him, and material objects undergo creation and annihilation by His will.

  3. 3

    Lord Kṛṣṇa is the source of the cosmic manifestation and gives life to all. His original spiritual form is eternal and does not undergo birth, transformation or death.

Key points from the purport
  • Yoni, or “source,” indicates the Personality of Godhead, and thus abja-yoni means that the Lord is the source of all cosmic manifestations; indeed, all creation takes place within the Lord.
  • Since the three modes of material nature are under the superior control of the Lord, material objects helplessly undergo creation and annihilation within the universal shell by the will of the Lord.
  • Thus the Lord expands His conscious living potency called jīva-śakti, which is manifest in innumerable material forms such as those of men, demigods, animals, and so on.

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

Uncertainty → Clarity. The coming separation makes the instruction personally urgent.

Chapters 10–20 of Canto 11: Kṛṣṇa's teachings on self, yoga and wisdom. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 12: Beyond Renunciation and Knowledge

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Nevertheless, by the purifying effect of the association of devotees they may all achieve the supreme abode of the Personality of Godhead, whereas without such saintly association, even those very seriously endeavoring in yoga, Sāṅkhya study, charity, vows and practice of the renounced order of life may remain incapable of attaining the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The young damsels of Vraja, ignorant of the true identity of Lord Kṛṣṇacandra, considered Him to be their paramour who would give them pleasure.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.12
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. ayamthis
  2. hicertainly
  3. jīvaḥthe supreme living entity who gives life to others
  4. tri-vṛtcontaining the three modes of material nature
  5. abjaof the universal lotus flower
  6. yoniḥthe source
  7. avyaktaḥunmanifest (materially)
  8. ekaḥalone
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 11.12

    In this verse: “material”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 11.12

    In this verse: “death”

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 remembering the Lord's control change my view of the changing world?

Practice

Look at one plant today and recall the verse's example: many manifestations can arise from one source, just as creation depends on the Lord's potencies.

Live this todayOne Lord, Innumerable ManifestationsThis 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 11.12.20? Get an answer from the verses themselves.