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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 22: Enumeration of the Elements of Material Creation
11.22.1211.22.14

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.22.13

Sarga· Creation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Kṛṣṇasince 11.22.4inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Kṛṣṇa → Uddhava

सत्त्वं ज्ञानं रज: कर्म तमोऽज्ञानमिहोच्यते ।

गुणव्यतिकर: काल: स्वभाव: सूत्रमेव च ॥ १३ ॥

sattvaṁ jñānaṁ rajaḥ karma

tamo ’jñānam ihocyate

guṇa-vyatikaraḥ kālaḥ

svabhāvaḥ sūtram eva ca

Translation

In this world the mode of goodness is recognized as knowledge, the mode of passion as fruitive work, and the mode of darkness as ignorance. Time is perceived as the agitated interaction of the material modes, and the totality of functional propensity is embodied by the primeval sūtra, or mahat-tattva.

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.

Time Moves Matter; the Soul Remains Distinct

  1. 1

    Goodness is recognized as knowledge, passion as fruitive work, and darkness as ignorance. The primeval sūtra, or mahat-tattva, embodies the totality of functional propensity.

  2. 2

    The forward movement of time impels the material elements to interact. Without the time factor, they remain inert in the form of pradhāna.

  3. 3

    Lord Kṛṣṇa gives basic categories so that we can understand His creation despite His infinite potencies. The spirit soul remains a distinct transcendental element, meant for residence in the kingdom of God.

Key points from the purport
  • The impetus for the interaction of the material elements is the forward movement of time.
  • In the absence of the time factor, the material elements do not interact but remain inert in the form of pradhāna.
  • Lord Kṛṣṇa is establishing the basic categories of the material world so that human beings can conceive of the Lord’s creation.

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 22: Enumeration of the Elements of Material Creation

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Time is another name of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and another name for material propensity is sūtra or mahat-tattva. The twenty-five elements of nature are the Lord, nature, the mahat, false ego, ether, air, fire, water, earth, the eyes, the ears, the nose, the tongue, the skin, speech, the hands, the feet, the genitals, the anus, the mind, sound, touch, form, taste and smell.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.22
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. sattvamthe mode of goodness
  2. jñānamknowledge
  3. rajaḥthe mode of passion
  4. karmafruitive work
  5. tamaḥthe mode of ignorance
  6. ajñānamfoolishness
  7. ihain this world
  8. ucyateis called
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Sarga · The creation of the universe

    Where does the universe come from? · Subject 1 of 10

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 11.22

    In this verse: “knowledge”, “spirit soul”, “understand”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 11.22

    In this verse: “material”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 11.22

    In this verse: “kingdom”

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 knowing that the soul is distinct from changing matter affect how I view my life?

Practice

Notice one change caused by time today, and pause to remember that the spirit soul is distinct from material change.

Live this todayTime Moves Matter; the Soul Remains DistinctThis 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 11.22.13? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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