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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
11.22.1711.22.19

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.22.18

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

व्यक्तादयो विकुर्वाणा धातव: पुरुषेक्षया ।

लब्धवीर्या: सृजन्त्यण्डं संहता: प्रकृतेर्बलात् ॥ १८ ॥

vyaktādayo vikurvāṇā

dhātavaḥ puruṣekṣayā

labdha-vīryāḥ sṛjanty aṇḍaṁ

saṁhatāḥ prakṛter balāt

Translation

As the material elements, headed by the mahat-tattva, are transformed, they receive their specific potencies from the glance of the Supreme Lord, and being amalgamated by the power of nature, they create the universal egg.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

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 Lord’s Glance Empowers the Elements

  1. 1

    The material elements, headed by mahat-tattva, undergo transformation.

  2. 2

    They receive their specific potencies from the glance of the Supreme Lord.

  3. 3

    Combined by the power of nature, these empowered elements create the universal egg.

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. vyakta-ādayaḥthe mahat-tattva and so on
  2. vikurvāṇāḥundergoing transformation
  3. dhātavaḥthe elements
  4. puruṣaof the Lord
  5. īkṣayāby the glance
  6. labdhahaving attained
  7. vīryāḥtheir potencies
  8. sṛjantithey create
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

What changes in my view of nature when I recognize that its elements receive their potencies from the Supreme Lord?

Practice

Observe something in nature today and remember that the material elements receive their powers from the Supreme Lord’s glance.

Live this todayThe Lord’s Glance Empowers the ElementsThis 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.

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