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
11.22.54-5511.22.57

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.22.56

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

अर्थे ह्यविद्यमानेऽपि संसृतिर्न निवर्तते ।

ध्यायतो विषयानस्य स्वप्नेऽनर्थागमो यथा ॥ ५६ ॥

arthe hy avidyamāne ’pi

saṁsṛtir na nivartate

dhyāyato viṣayān asya

svapne ’narthāgamo yathā

Translation

For one who is meditating on sense gratification, material life, although lacking factual existence, does not go away, just as the unpleasant experiences of a dream do not.

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.

Awaken from False Bodily Identification

  1. 1

    Material life continues for one absorbed in sense gratification, just as a frightening dream continues while one sleeps. Calling it false does not mean that no effort is needed to leave it.

  2. 2

    Both the spirit soul and the body exist, but identifying the soul with the body is false. Material life rests on this mistaken identification.

  3. 3

    Even someone engaged in devotional service may be troubled by dim reflections of sinful life. Hearing Lord Kṛṣṇa’s instructions to Śrī Uddhava strengthens one in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

Key points from the purport
  • One may object that if Lord Kṛṣṇa insists that material life is false, then why should one endeavor to stop it?
  • The Lord therefore explains here that although not factual, material life stubbornly continues for one addicted to sense gratification, just as a frightening dream continues for one merged in sleep.
  • Material life, based on a false idea, has no factual existence.

The purport's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 1

Quoted in the purport ofSB 10.54.48

A similar statement is found in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (11.22.56): “For one who is meditating on sense gratification, material life, although lacking factual existence, does not go away, just as the unpleasant experiences of a dream do not.”

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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:

But when there is no knowledge of the true facts, the living entity, confused by the objects of sense gratification, achieves his destinations within the cycle of material existence.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.22
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. arthein truth
  2. hicertainly
  3. avidyamānenot existing
  4. apieven though
  5. saṁsṛtiḥmaterial existence
  6. na nivartatedoes not stop
  7. dhyāyataḥwho is meditating
  8. viṣayānon the objects of sense gratification
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: “sense gratification”, “material”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 11.22

    In this verse: “devotional service”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 11.22

    In this verse: “hearing”

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 bodily role do I most often treat as my whole identity?

Practice

Spend a few minutes reading aloud Lord Kṛṣṇa’s instruction in this verse, with attention to its meaning.

Live this todayAwaken from False Bodily IdentificationThis 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 11.22.56? 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