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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
11.22.2411.22.26

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.22.25

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

इति नानाप्रसङ्ख्यानं तत्त्वानामृषिभि: कृतम् ।

सर्वं न्याय्यं युक्तिमत्त्वाद् विदुषां किमशोभनम् ॥ २५ ॥

iti nānā-prasaṅkhyānaṁ

tattvānām ṛṣibhiḥ kṛtam

sarvaṁ nyāyyaṁ yuktimattvād

viduṣāṁ kim aśobhanam

Translation

Thus great philosophers have analyzed the material elements in many different ways. All of their proposals are reasonable, since they are all presented with ample logic. Indeed, such philosophical brilliance is expected of the truly learned.

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.

Analysis Finds Its Conclusion in Kṛṣṇa

  1. 1

    Great philosophers have analyzed the material elements in many reasonable ways, supporting their proposals with ample logic.

  2. 2

    Despite innumerable analyses, the conclusion is always one: the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vāsudeva.

  3. 3

    Rather than waste precious time displaying intellectual brilliance, one should surrender to Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa. This uncovers one's eternal consciousness of God.

Key points from the purport
  • The material world has been analyzed in innumerable ways by innumerable brilliant philosophers, but the conclusion is always one — the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vāsudeva.
  • Aspiring philosophers need not waste their precious time showing off their intellectual brilliance, because there is little left to analyze on the material platform.
  • One should simply surrender to the Absolute Truth, the supreme element, Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, and uncover one’s eternal consciousness of God.

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 raw substance of material nature is designated according to its different phases. In the mode of goodness, it is known as knowledge, in the mode of passion as activity, and in the mode of darkness as ignorance.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.22
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. itiin these ways
  2. nānāvarious
  3. prasaṅkhyānamenumeration
  4. tattvānāmof the elements
  5. ṛṣibhiḥby the sages
  6. kṛtamhas been done
  7. sarvamall this
  8. nyāyyamlogical
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”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

  • Śaraṇāgati · Wholehearted surrender

    Relinquishing ownership while entrusting oneself to the Lord. · Theme in SB 11.22

    In this verse: “surrender”

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

Is my study helping me surrender to Kṛṣṇa, or mainly giving me opportunities to display knowledge?

Practice

Pause before studying today and express your wish to understand in a spirit of surrender to Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa.

Live this todayAnalysis Finds Its Conclusion in KṛṣṇaThis 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 11.22.25? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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