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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 ›
Canto 11 · Chapter 21: Lord Kṛṣṇa’s Explanation of the Vedic Path
11.21.1111.21.13

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.21.12

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Supreme Personality of Godheadsince 11.21.1inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Kṛṣṇa → Uddhava

धान्यदार्वस्थितन्तूनां रसतैजसचर्मणाम् ।

कालवाय्वग्निमृत्तोयै: पार्थिवानां युतायुतै: ॥ १२ ॥

dhānya-dārv-asthi-tantūnāṁ

rasa-taijasa-carmaṇām

kāla-vāyv-agni-mṛt-toyaiḥ

pārthivānāṁ yutāyutaiḥ

Translation

Various objects such as grains, wooden utensils, things made of bone, thread, liquids, objects derived from fire, skins and earthy objects are all purified by time, by the wind, by fire, by earth and by water, either separately or in combination.

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.

Different Objects Have Different Purifying Agents

  1. 1

    Grains, wooden utensils, thread, liquids, skins and earthy objects are among the things that can be purified.

  2. 2

    Time, wind, fire, earth and water serve as purifying agents. They may be used separately or in combination.

  3. 3

    The purport explains why time is included: all purificatory processes take place within time.

Key points from the purport
  • The word kāla, or “time,” is mentioned here, since all purificatory processes take place within time.

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

Striving → Complete devotional trust. The Lord redirects Uddhava toward enduring loving service.

Chapters 21–29 of Canto 11: Spiritual practice culminating in bhakti-yoga. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 21: Lord Kṛṣṇa’s Explanation of the Vedic Path

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

In connection with time, there are distinctions of purity and impurity either in terms of the time itself or in terms of its specific relation with various objects. In connection with physical substances, distinctions of purity and impurity are made in terms of sanctification of objects and words and by such activities as bathing, giving charity, performing austere penances and remembering the Supreme Lord.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.21
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. dhānyaof grains
  2. dāruof wood (in the form of both ordinary objects and sacred utensils)
  3. asthibone (such as elephant tusks)
  4. tantūnāmand thread
  5. rasaof liquids (oil, ghee, etc.)
  6. taijasafiery objects (gold, etc.)
  7. carmaṇāmand skins
  8. kālaby time
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 11.21

    In this verse: “purified”

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

Do I give everyday cleaning the appropriate means and time it requires?

Practice

Wash one water-safe wooden utensil with water today.

Live this todayDifferent Objects Have Different Purifying AgentsThis 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 11.21.12? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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