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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
11.22.1811.22.20

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.22.19

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

सप्तैव धातव इति तत्रार्था: पञ्चखादय: ।

ज्ञानमात्मोभयाधारस्ततो देहेन्द्रियासव: ॥ १९ ॥

saptaiva dhātava iti

tatrārthāḥ pañca khādayaḥ

jñānam ātmobhayādhāras

tato dehendriyāsavaḥ

Translation

According to some philosophers there are seven elements, namely earth, water, fire, air and ether, along with the conscious spirit soul and the Supreme Soul, who is the basis of both the material elements and the ordinary spirit soul. According to this theory, the body, senses, life air and all material phenomena are produced from these seven elements.

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 Soul Supports Matter and Soul

  1. 1

    Having explained His own viewpoint, the Lord now summarizes other methods of analysis. One method counts seven elements.

  2. 2

    These are earth, water, fire, air, ether, the conscious spirit soul and the Supreme Soul. The Supreme Soul is the basis of both the material elements and the ordinary spirit soul.

  3. 3

    According to this theory, the body, senses, life air and all material phenomena are produced from these seven elements.

Key points from the purport
  • Having explained His own viewpoint, the Lord now summarizes various other analytic methodologies.

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:

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. The unmanifest Supreme Personality merely glances at nature.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.22
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. saptaseven
  2. evaindeed
  3. dhātavaḥelements
  4. itithus saying
  5. tatratherein
  6. arthāḥthe physical elements
  7. pañcafive
  8. kha-ādayaḥbeginning with ether
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: “philosophers”, “spirit soul”

  • 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 does it mean for me that the Supreme Soul is the basis of both matter and the conscious soul?

Practice

Write the seven elements in this account, and mark the Supreme Soul as the basis of both matter and the ordinary spirit soul.

Live this todayThe Supreme Soul Supports Matter and SoulThis 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 11.22.19? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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