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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
11.22.2611.22.28

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.22.27

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Uddhavasince 11.22.26inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Kṛṣṇa → Uddhava

एवं मे पुण्डरीकाक्ष महान्तं संशयं हृदि ।

छेत्तुमर्हसि सर्वज्ञ वचोभिर्नयनैपुणै: ॥ २७ ॥

evaṁ me puṇḍarīkākṣa

mahāntaṁ saṁśayaṁ hṛdi

chettum arhasi sarva-jña

vacobhir naya-naipuṇaiḥ

Translation

O lotus-eyed Kṛṣṇa, O omniscient Lord, kindly cut this great doubt out of my heart with Your own words, which exhibit Your great skill in reasoning.

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.

Ask Kṛṣṇa to Remove Doubt

  1. 1

    Śrī Uddhava openly brings his great doubt before lotus-eyed Kṛṣṇa, the omniscient Lord.

  2. 2

    He asks the Lord to cut this doubt from his heart through His own words, which are expert in reasoning.

  3. 3

    His request is specific: he wants Kṛṣṇa to clearly demonstrate the difference between the material body and the spirit soul.

Key points from the purport
  • Śrī Uddhava requests Lord Kṛṣṇa to clearly demonstrate the difference between the material body and the spirit soul.

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:

Material nature, which is under the control of the Supreme Lord, then assumes the forms of causes and effects and carries out the creation, maintenance and destruction of the material world. Even though the puruṣa and prakṛti appear nondifferent to superficial vision, there is an ultimate difference between the two.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.22
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. evamthus
  2. memy
  3. puṇḍarīka-akṣaO lotus-eyed Lord
  4. mahāntamgreat
  5. saṁśayamdoubt
  6. hṛdiwithin my heart
  7. chettumcut
  8. arhasiYou should please
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Īśānukathā · The science of God

    Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 of 10

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 11.22

    In this verse: “kindly”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 11.22

    In this verse: “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 doubt about the body and soul would I like to bring honestly before Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Write down one such doubt and offer a brief prayer to Kṛṣṇa for clear understanding.

Live this todayAsk Kṛṣṇa to Remove DoubtThis 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 11.22.27? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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