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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
11.22.4311.22.45

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.22.44

Nirodha· Winding up
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Kṛṣṇasince 11.22.37inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Kṛṣṇa → Uddhava

यथार्चिषां स्रोतसां च फलानां वा वनस्पते: ।

तथैव सर्वभूतानां वयोऽवस्थादय: कृता: ॥ ४४ ॥

yathārciṣāṁ srotasāṁ ca

phalānāṁ vā vanaspateḥ

tathaiva sarva-bhūtānāṁ

vayo-’vasthādayaḥ kṛtāḥ

Translation

The different stages of transformation of all material bodies occur just like those of the flame of a candle, the current of a river, or the fruits of a tree.

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.

The Body Changes, the Soul Remains

  1. 1

    Like a candle flame, a river’s currents or a tree’s fruits, the material body undergoes constant transformation.

  2. 2

    Whatever is produced within material time must eventually be destroyed. The body steadily moves toward old age, disease and death.

  3. 3

    Physical strength may diminish while knowledge increases. Through all these changes, the temporary body should never be confused with the eternal, unchanging spirit soul.

Key points from the purport
  • As the body grows old, physical strength diminishes, but one’s knowledge may increase even as the body undergoes such transformation.
  • Material birth and death occur within the realm of segmented time.
  • Just as the candle flame gradually diminishes, as the flowing currents move within the river or as fruits gradually ripen on a tree, the material body is steadily moving toward inevitable death.

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 body undergoes nine stages of manifestation, which are brought about by association with the qualities of material nature. These are impregnation, gestation, birth, childhood, youth, maturity, middle age, old age and death.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.22
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yathāas
  2. arciṣāmof the flames of a candle
  3. srotasāmof the currents of a river
  4. caand
  5. phalānāmof fruits
  6. vāor
  7. vanaspateḥof a tree
  8. tathāthus
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Nirodha · Returning home, back to Godhead

    What happens when everything here comes to an end? · Subject 8 of 10

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “knowledge”, “spirit soul”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 11.22

    In this verse: “death”

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 can noticing bodily changes help me distinguish the body from the unchanging soul?

Practice

Observe a fruit or flowing water today, and briefly reflect that your body also changes while the spirit soul remains unchanged.

Live this todayThe Body Changes, the Soul RemainsThis 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 11.22.44? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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