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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
11.22.1911.22.21

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.22.20

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

षडित्यत्रापि भूतानि पञ्चषष्ठ: पर: पुमान् ।

तैर्युक्त आत्मसम्भूतै: सृष्ट्वेदं समपाविशत् ॥ २० ॥

ṣaḍ ity atrāpi bhūtāni

pañca ṣaṣṭhaḥ paraḥ pumān

tair yukta ātma-sambhūtaiḥ

sṛṣṭvedaṁ samapāviśat

Translation

Other philosophers state that there are six elements — the five physical elements (earth, water, fire, air and ether) and the sixth element, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. That Supreme Lord, endowed with the elements that He has brought forth from Himself, creates this universe and then personally enters within it.

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 Creates and Enters

  1. 1

    Another philosophy counts six elements: earth, water, fire, air, ether and the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

  2. 2

    Śrīla Śrīdhara Svāmī explains that this philosophy includes the ordinary living entity within the category of the Supersoul. Thus it counts only the Supreme Personality of Godhead and the five physical elements.

  3. 3

    The Supreme Lord brings forth the elements from Himself. With those elements He creates the universe and then personally enters it.

Key points from the purport
  • Śrīla Śrīdhara Svāmī states that according to this philosophy, the ordinary living entity is included within the category of the Supersoul.
  • This theory thus accepts only the Supreme Personality of Godhead and the five physical elements.

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. ṣaṭsix
  2. itithus
  3. atrain this theory
  4. apialso
  5. bhūtānithe elements
  6. pañcafive
  7. ṣaṣṭhaḥthe sixth
  8. paraḥthe transcendental
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”, “philosophy”

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 remembering that the Supreme Lord creates and enters the universe affect my awareness of Him?

Practice

Pause once today to remember that the universe’s elements come from the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who also enters His creation.

Live this todayThe Supreme Lord Creates and EntersThis 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 11.22.20? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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