1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 11 · General History · 31 chapters

12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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
11.22.2911.22.31

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.22.30

Sarga· Creation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Supreme Personality of Godheadsince 11.22.29inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Kṛṣṇa → Uddhava

ममाङ्ग माया गुणमय्यनेकधा

विकल्पबुद्धीश्च गुणैर्विधत्ते ।

वैकारिकस्‍त्रिविधोऽध्यात्ममेक-

मथाधिदैवमधिभूतमन्यत् ॥ ३० ॥

mamāṅga māyā guṇa-mayy anekadhā

vikalpa-buddhīś ca guṇair vidhatte

vaikārikas tri-vidho ’dhyātmam ekam

athādhidaivam adhibhūtam anyat

Translation

My dear Uddhava, My material energy, comprising three modes and acting through them, manifests the varieties of creation along with varieties of consciousness for perceiving them. The manifest result of material transformation is understood in three aspects: adhyātmic, adhidaivic and adhibhautic.

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.

Material Modes Shape Varied Experiences

  1. 1

    The Lord's material energy acts through three modes, producing varieties of creation and varieties of consciousness for perceiving them.

  2. 2

    Different bodies reveal different aspects of creation. Birds experience wind and altitude, while fish experience life within water.

  3. 3

    All types of material consciousness are transformations of the three modes. Material transformation has three aspects: adhyātmic, adhidaivic and adhibhautic.

Key points from the purport
  • The word vikalpa-buddhīḥ indicates that consciousness within various material bodies reveals different aspects of the Lord’s creation.
  • Birds such as seagulls glide on the ocean breezes, experiencing the Lord’s creation of wind and altitude.
  • All types of material consciousness are transformations of the three modes of material nature, the expansions of the Lord’s illusory energy.

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 creation is produced from the modes of prakṛti, and its quality is transformation. The living entities who are inimical to the Supreme Personality of Godhead take on and give up various kinds of material bodies through the agency of their own material work.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.22
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. mamaMy
  2. aṅgaMy dear Uddhava
  3. māyāmaterial energy
  4. guṇa-mayīconsisting of the three modes
  5. anekadhāmanifold
  6. vikalpadifferent manifestations
  7. buddhīḥand perceptions of these differences
  8. caand
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

  • 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

How does the variety of bodily experiences remind me that my material viewpoint is limited?

Practice

Consider a bird or fish for a moment and note how its experience of the Lord's creation differs from yours.

Live this todayMaterial Modes Shape Varied ExperiencesThis 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 11.22.30? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories