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 24: The Philosophy of Sāṅkhya
11.24.911.24.11

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.24.10

Sarga· Creation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Kṛṣṇasince 11.24.1inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Kṛṣṇa → Uddhava

तस्मिन्नहं समभवमण्डे सलिलसंस्थितौ ।

मम नाभ्यामभूत् पद्मं विश्वाख्यं तत्र चात्मभूः ॥ १० ॥

tasminn ahaṁ samabhavam

aṇḍe salila-saṁsthitau

mama nābhyām abhūt padmaṁ

viśvākhyaṁ tatra cātma-bhūḥ

Translation

I Myself appeared within that egg, which was floating on the causal water, and from My navel arose the universal lotus, the birthplace of self-born Brahmā.

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 Lord’s Form Always Remains Transcendental

  1. 1

    The Lord appears within the universal egg floating on the causal water. From His navel arises the universal lotus, the birthplace of self-born Brahmā.

  2. 2

    This is the Lord’s transcendental pastime form of Śrī Nārāyaṇa. Entering the universe, He retains His purely transcendental body of knowledge and bliss.

  3. 3

    Although Brahmā is the most powerful mystic, his body is material. The body of the Supreme Lord Hari, Nārāyaṇa, is always transcendental.

Key points from the purport
  • The Supreme Lord here describes His appearance in His transcendental pastime form of Śrī Nārāyaṇa.
  • Lord Brahmā, however, born from the Lord’s navel lotus, has a material body.
  • Although Lord Brahmā is the most powerful mystic, his body, which pervades all material existence, is material, whereas the body of the Supreme Lord Hari, Nārāyaṇa, is always transcendental.

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 24: The Philosophy of Sāṅkhya

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

From the navel of this ultimate creator comes a lotus, upon which Brahmā takes birth. Lord Brahmā, invested with the mode of passion, executes austerities by the grace of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and on the strength of these penances he is able to create all the planets of the universe.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.24
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tasminwithin that
  2. ahamI
  3. samabhavamappeared
  4. aṇḍein the egg of the universe
  5. salilain the water of the Causal Ocean
  6. saṁsthitauwhich was situated
  7. mamaMy
  8. nābhyāmfrom the navel
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 11.24

    In this verse: “knowledge”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 11.24

    In this verse: “material”

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

Why is it important not to equate the Supreme Lord’s body with Brahmā’s material body?

Practice

Spend a moment remembering Śrī Nārāyaṇa’s form as transcendental, full of knowledge and bliss.

Live this todayThe Lord’s Form Always Remains TranscendentalThis 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 11.24.10? 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