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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.
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Canto 11 · Chapter 19: The Perfection of Spiritual Knowledge
11.19.1311.19.15

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.19.14

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Supreme Personality of Godheadsince 11.19.11inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Kṛṣṇa → Uddhava

नवैकादश पञ्च त्रीन् भावान् भूतेषु येन वै ।

ईक्षेताथैकमप्येषु तज्ज्ञानं मम निश्चितम् ॥ १४ ॥

navaikādaśa pañca trīn

bhāvān bhūteṣu yena vai

īkṣetāthaikam apy eṣu

taj jñānaṁ mama niścitam

Translation

I personally approve of that knowledge by which one sees the combination of nine, eleven, five and three elements in all living entities, and ultimately one element within those twenty-eight.

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.

See the Supreme Cause Within Everything

  1. 1

    The Lord approves knowledge that recognizes the twenty-eight elements in living beings. These include material nature, the living entity, false ego, the senses, the mind, physical elements and the three modes of nature.

  2. 2

    Within all twenty-eight is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the Supersoul. He is all-pervading within both the material and spiritual worlds.

  3. 3

    Lord Kṛṣṇa is the cause of all causes, so secondary causes and their effects are ultimately nondifferent from Him. This understanding is real knowledge, or jñāna, essential for perfecting life.

Key points from the purport
  • The nine elements are material nature, the living entity, the mahat-tattva, false ego, and the five objects of sense perception, namely sound, touch, form, taste and aroma.
  • The five elements are the five physical elements, namely earth, water, fire, air and sky, and the three elements are the three modes of material nature — goodness, passion and ignorance.
  • All living entities, from mighty Lord Brahmā down to an insignificant weed, manifest material bodies composed of these twenty-eight elements.

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 19: The Perfection of Spiritual Knowledge

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

He instead engages himself in trying to satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the master of all. This is pure bhakti-yoga.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.19
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. navanine
  2. ekādaśaeleven
  3. pañcafive
  4. trīnand three
  5. bhāvānelements
  6. bhūteṣuin all living beings (from Lord Brahmā down to the immovable living entities)
  7. yenaby which knowledge
  8. vaicertainly
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 11.19

    In this verse: “knowledge”, “understanding”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 11.19

    In this verse: “material”

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 11.19

    In this verse: “false ego”

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

When I notice material causes, do I also remember Kṛṣṇa as the cause of all causes?

Practice

Look at one physical object today and pause to remember that its causes ultimately depend on Kṛṣṇa.

Live this todaySee the Supreme Cause Within EverythingThis 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 11.19.14? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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