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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 22: Enumeration of the Elements of Material Creation
11.22.1611.22.18

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.22.17

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

सर्गादौ प्रकृतिर्ह्यस्य कार्यकारणरूपिणी ।

सत्त्वादिभिर्गुणैर्धत्ते पुरुषोऽव्यक्त ईक्षते ॥ १७ ॥

sargādau prakṛtir hy asya

kārya-kāraṇa-rūpiṇī

sattvādibhir guṇair dhatte

puruṣo ’vyakta īkṣate

Translation

In the beginning of creation nature assumes, by the modes of goodness, passion and ignorance, its form as the embodiment of all subtle causes and gross manifestations within the universe. The Supreme Personality of Godhead does not enter the interaction of material manifestation but merely glances upon nature.

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.

The Supreme Lord Remains Beyond Material Transformation

  1. 1

    At creation’s beginning, nature assumes the form of all subtle causes and gross manifestations through goodness, passion and ignorance.

  2. 2

    The Supreme Personality of Godhead merely glances upon nature without entering its material interactions. Unlike the material elements, He is not subject to transformation.

  3. 3

    The Lord is avyakta, not materially manifest at any stage of cosmic evolution. Whatever method is used to count the elements, He remains the ultimate creator, maintainer and annihilator.

Key points from the purport
  • The Personality of Godhead is not subject to transformation like the subtle and gross material elements.
  • Thus the Lord is avyakta, or not materially manifest at any stage of cosmic evolution.
  • Regardless of the specific method of cataloging the material elements, the Lord remains the ultimate creator, maintainer and annihilator of the total cosmic situation.

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:

Material nature, which is under the control of the Supreme Lord, then assumes the forms of causes and effects and carries out the creation, maintenance and destruction of the material world. Even though the puruṣa and prakṛti appear nondifferent to superficial vision, there is an ultimate difference between the two.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.22
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. sargaof creation
  2. ādauin the beginning
  3. prakṛtiḥthe material nature
  4. hiindeed
  5. asyaof this universe
  6. kāryathe manifest products
  7. kāraṇaand subtle causes
  8. rūpiṇīembodying
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

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 Lord’s freedom from material transformation deepen my understanding of His supremacy?

Practice

Take a quiet moment today to remember the Supreme Personality of Godhead as the creator, maintainer and annihilator, unchanged by material transformations.

Live this todayThe Supreme Lord Remains Beyond Material TransformationThis 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 11.22.17? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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