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
11.24.2011.24.22-27

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.24.21

Āśraya· The supreme shelter
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

विराण्मयासाद्यमानो लोककल्पविकल्पकः ।

पञ्चत्वाय विशेषाय कल्पते भुवनैः सह ॥ २१ ॥

virāṇ mayāsādyamāno

loka-kalpa-vikalpakaḥ

pañcatvāya viśeṣāya

kalpate bhuvanaiḥ saha

Translation

I am the basis of the universal form, which displays endless variety through the repeated creation, maintenance and destruction of the planetary systems. Originally containing within itself all planets in their dormant state, My universal form manifests the varieties of created existence by arranging the coordinated combination of the five elements.

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 Sustains the Universal Form

  1. 1

    The Lord is the basis of the universal form. Through repeated creation, maintenance and destruction, this form displays endless variety.

  2. 2

    The planets originally rest within the universal form in a dormant state. The coordinated combination of the five elements manifests the varieties of created existence.

  3. 3

    According to Śrīla Śrīdhara Svāmī, mayā refers to the Lord in His form as eternal time.

Key points from the purport
  • According to Śrīla Śrīdhara Svāmī, the word mayā refers to the Lord in His form as eternal time.

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:

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. virāṭthe universal form
  2. mayāby Me
  3. āsādyamānaḥbeing pervaded
  4. lokaof the planets
  5. kalpaof repeated creation, maintenance and destruction
  6. vikalpakaḥmanifesting the variety
  7. pañcatvāyathe elemental manifestation of creation of the five elements
  8. viśeṣāyain varieties
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Āśraya · The summum bonum

    Who is the shelter of everything? · Subject 10 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “mayā”

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 does knowing that the universal form rests upon the Lord change your view of the world's variety?

Practice

Notice one example of variety in the world today, and pause to remember the Lord as the basis of the universal form.

Live this todayThe Lord Sustains the Universal FormThis 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 11.24.21? 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