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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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.22.23

Who is speaking and story frame

तद्वत् षोडशसङ्ख्याने आत्मैव मन उच्यते ।

भूतेन्द्रियाणि पञ्चैव मन आत्मा त्रयोदश ॥ २३ ॥

tadvat ṣoḍaśa-saṅkhyāne

ātmaiva mana ucyate

bhūtendriyāṇi pañcaiva

mana ātmā trayodaśa

Translation

According to the calculation of sixteen elements, the only difference from the previous theory is that the soul is identified with the mind. If we think in terms of five physical elements, five senses, the mind, the individual soul and the Supreme Lord, there are thirteen 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.

Different Counts Group Elements Differently

  1. 1

    In the calculation of sixteen elements, the soul is identified with the mind. This describes how that particular calculation groups them.

  2. 2

    The calculation of thirteen includes five physical elements, five senses, the mind, the individual soul and the Supreme Lord.

  3. 3

    In the theory of thirteen elements, aroma, taste, form, touch and sound are considered by-products of the interaction of the senses and physical matter.

Key points from the purport
  • According to the theory of thirteen elements, the sense objects — aroma, taste, form, touch and sound — are considered by-products of the interaction of the senses and physical matter.

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. tadvatsimilarly
  2. ṣoḍaśa-saṅkhyānein counting sixteen
  3. ātmāthe soul
  4. evaindeed
  5. manaḥas the mind
  6. ucyateis identified
  7. bhūtathe five gross elements
  8. indriyāṇithe senses
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

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 noticing what each calculation groups together help me understand the different counts?

Practice

Write out the thirteen-element calculation, keeping the individual soul and the Supreme Lord as separate entries.

Live this todayDifferent Counts Group Elements DifferentlyThis 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 11.22.23? Get an answer from the verses themselves.