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
11.22.3211.22.34

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.22.33

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

योऽसौ गुणक्षोभकृतो विकार:

प्रधानमूलान्महत: प्रसूत: ।

अहं त्रिवृन्मोहविकल्पहेतु-

र्वैकारिकस्तामस ऐन्द्रियश्च ॥ ३३ ॥

yo ’sau guṇa-kṣobha-kṛto vikāraḥ

pradhāna-mūlān mahataḥ prasūtaḥ

ahaṁ tri-vṛn moha-vikalpa-hetur

vaikārikas tāmasa aindriyaś ca

Translation

When the three modes of nature are agitated, the resultant transformation appears as the element false ego in three phases — goodness, passion and ignorance. Generated from the mahat-tattva, which is itself produced from the unmanifest pradhāna, this false ego becomes the cause of all material illusion and duality.

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.

Replace False Ego With Service

  1. 1

    False ego arises from the mahat-tattva when the three modes of nature are agitated. It appears in goodness, passion and ignorance.

  2. 2

    Because of false ego, one considers oneself the enjoyer of nature. This produces bewilderment and a false sense of duality in material happiness and distress.

  3. 3

    False ego is removed by identifying oneself as the Lord’s eternal servitor. Giving up identification with the modes brings one to Kṛṣṇa consciousness, the pure, original state of existence.

Key points from the purport
  • By giving up one’s false ego of identification with the three modes of nature, one can achieve Kṛṣṇa consciousness, the pure, original state of existence.
  • The word moha-vikalpa-hetuḥ indicates that because of false ego one considers himself to be the enjoyer of nature and thus develops a false sense of material duality in terms of material happiness and distress.
  • False ego is removed by identifying oneself as the Lord’s eternal servitor in full Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

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. yaḥ asauthis
  2. guṇaof the modes of nature
  3. kṣobhaby the agitation
  4. kṛtaḥcaused
  5. vikāraḥtransformation
  6. pradhāna-mūlātwhich is generated from the pradhāna, the unmanifest form of the total material nature
  7. mahataḥfrom the mahat-tattva
  8. prasūtaḥgenerated
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: “illusion”, “material”

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 11.22

    In this verse: “false ego”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

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

    In this verse: “distress”

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

When do I think of myself as the enjoyer rather than the Lord’s servant?

Practice

Before one task today, pause and approach it as service to Kṛṣṇa rather than as an opportunity for personal enjoyment.

Live this todayReplace False Ego With ServiceThis 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 11.22.33? 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