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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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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
11.24.1211.24.14

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.24.13

Sthāna· The universe in order
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

अधोऽसुराणां नागानां भूमेरोकोऽसृजत् प्रभुः ।

त्रिलोक्यां गतयः सर्वाः कर्मणां त्रिगुणात्मनाम् ॥ १३ ॥

adho ’surāṇāṁ nāgānāṁ

bhūmer oko ’sṛjat prabhuḥ

tri-lokyāṁ gatayaḥ sarvāḥ

karmaṇāṁ tri-guṇātmanām

Translation

Lord Brahmā created the region below the earth for the demons and the Nāga snakes. In this way the destinations of the three worlds were arranged as the corresponding reactions for different kinds of work performed within the three modes of nature.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

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.

Actions Shape Destinations Within Nature

  1. 1

    Lord Brahmā created the region below the earth as a residence for demons and Nāga snakes.

  2. 2

    The destinations within the three worlds were arranged as reactions to different kinds of work.

  3. 3

    These activities take place within the three modes of nature. Their corresponding destinations reflect the work performed.

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:

In the region above these three planetary systems are the places of advanced sages, and in the lower worlds are those of the demons, Nāga serpents and so forth. The goals achieved by activities based on the three modes of material nature are all within the three mortal worlds.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.24
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. adhaḥbelow
  2. asurāṇāmof the demons
  3. nāgānāmof the celestial snakes
  4. bhūmeḥfrom the earth
  5. okaḥthe residence
  6. asṛjatcreated
  7. prabhuḥLord Brahmā
  8. tri-lokyāmof the three worlds
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Sthāna · Planetary systems

    How is the universe arranged, and what is our right place in it? · Subject 3 of 10

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 might remembering that actions have consequences change a choice I make today?

Practice

Before one deliberate action today, pause and consider what consequences it may bring.

Live this todayActions Shape Destinations Within NatureThis 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 11.24.13? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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