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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
11.22.5211.22.54-55

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.22.53

Ūti· What drives us to act
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

नृत्यतो गायत: पश्यन् यथैवानुकरोति तान् ।

एवं बुद्धिगुणान् पश्यन्ननीहोऽप्यनुकार्यते ॥ ५३ ॥

nṛtyato gāyataḥ paśyan

yathaivānukaroti tān

evaṁ buddhi-guṇān paśyann

anīho ’py anukāryate

Translation

Just as one may imitate persons whom one sees dancing and singing, similarly the soul, although never the doer of material activities, becomes captivated by material intelligence and is thus forced to imitate its qualities.

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.

Serve Kṛṣṇa Rather Than Imitate Material Intelligence

  1. 1

    People become captivated by singers and dancers, imitating their rhythms and emotions. Similarly, the conditioned soul becomes captivated by the material mind and intelligence.

  2. 2

    Although distinct from the body and never the actual performer of its activities, the soul is persuaded that he can enjoy the material world. He then engages the body in activities that entangle him in birth and death.

  3. 3

    One should reject the illicit propositions of material intelligence. Instead, one should engage fully in the service of the Lord in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

Key points from the purport
  • The conditioned soul is similarly captivated by the concoctions of the material mind and intelligence, which convince him that he can become the enjoyer of the material world.
  • Although different from the material body and never the actual performer of its activities, the conditioned soul is induced to engage his body in material activities, which entangle him in the cycle of birth and death.
  • One should not accept the illicit propositions of material intelligence, but rather should engage himself fully in the service of the Lord in 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:

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. nṛtyataḥpersons who are dancing
  2. gāyataḥand singing
  3. paśyanobserving
  4. yathājust as
  5. evaindeed
  6. anukarotiimitates
  7. tānthem
  8. evamthus
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • 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

Which suggestions of my mind draw me toward material enjoyment rather than service to Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Notice one urge to imitate material enjoyment today, and use that moment for a small act of service to Kṛṣṇa instead.

Live this todayServe Kṛṣṇa Rather Than Imitate Material IntelligenceThis 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 11.22.53? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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