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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
11.22.611.22.8

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.22.7

Sarga· Creation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Kṛṣṇasince 11.22.4inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Kṛṣṇa → Uddhava

परस्परानुप्रवेशात् तत्त्वानां पुरुषर्षभ ।

पौर्वापर्यप्रसङ्ख्यानं यथा वक्तुर्विवक्षितम् ॥ ७ ॥

parasparānupraveśāt

tattvānāṁ puruṣarṣabha

paurvāparya-prasaṅkhyānaṁ

yathā vaktur vivakṣitam

Translation

O best among men, because subtle and gross elements mutually enter into one another, philosophers may calculate the number of basic material elements in different ways, according to their personal desire.

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.

Different Counts Reflect Different Methods

  1. 1

    Material creation unfolds as a chain reaction. Subtle elements expand and transform into progressively denser elements.

  2. 2

    A cause is present within its effect, and the effect is subtly present within its cause. In this sense, subtle and gross elements enter into one another.

  3. 3

    Philosophers may assign different numbers and names according to their methods. Pride in one’s theory does not remove the influence of personal inclinations.

Key points from the purport
  • Material creation takes place as a chain reaction in which subtle elements expand and transform into progressively denser elements.
  • Thus one may categorize basic material elements in many different ways, assigning various numbers and names according to one’s methodology.
  • Although material philosophers proudly assume their individual theories to be supreme, they are all speculating according to their personal proclivities, as described in this and the following verse.

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:

There are many opinions concerning the number of material elements. But this difference of opinions, brought about by the influence of the illusory energy, is not illogical.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.22
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. parasparamutual
  2. anupraveśātbecause of the entrance (as subtle causes within gross manifestations, and vice versa)
  3. tattvānāmof the various elements
  4. puruṣa-ṛṣabhaO best among men (Uddhava)
  5. paurvain terms of prior causes
  6. aparyaor of resultant products
  7. prasaṅkhyānamenumeration
  8. yathāhowever
  9. vaktuḥthe speaker
  10. vivakṣitamwants to describe
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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “philosophers”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

  • Dainya · Humility

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

    In this verse: “pride”

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

Could a difference in classification explain a disagreement I have treated as a contradiction?

Practice

Reread the verse and write one sentence explaining why different methods can produce different counts.

Live this todayDifferent Counts Reflect Different MethodsThis 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 11.22.7? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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