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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
11.24.311.24.5

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.24.4

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

तयोरेकतरो ह्यर्थः प्रकृतिः सोभयात्मिका ।

ज्ञानं त्वन्यतमो भावः पुरुषः सोऽभिधीयते ॥ ४ ॥

tayor ekataro hy arthaḥ

prakṛtiḥ sobhayātmikā

jñānaṁ tv anyatamo bhāvaḥ

puruṣaḥ so ’bhidhīyate

Translation

Of these two categories of manifestation, one is material nature, which embodies both the subtle causes and manifest products of matter. The other is the conscious living entity, designated as the enjoyer.

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.

Distinguish Material Nature from the Conscious Soul

  1. 1

    Material nature includes both the subtle causes of matter and their manifest products.

  2. 2

    The other category is the conscious living entity, designated as the enjoyer.

  3. 3

    Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī explains that prakṛti here means the subtle pradhāna, which later manifests as mahat-tattva.

Key points from the purport
  • According to Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī, prakṛti here refers to the subtle pradhāna, which later becomes manifest as mahat-tattva.

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:

The material nature, which comprises the three modes of matter, is agitated by the controlling male factor. The mahat-tattva then becomes manifest together with the energies of consciousness and activity.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.24
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tayoḥof the two
  2. ekataraḥone
  3. hiindeed
  4. arthaḥentity
  5. prakṛtiḥnature
  6. sāshe
  7. ubhaya-ātmikāconsisting of both the subtle causes and their manifest products
  8. jñānam(who possesses) consciousness
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

  • 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

What distinction does this verse make between the conscious living entity and material nature?

Practice

Write two short headings, “Material nature” and “Conscious living entity,” and place the verse’s descriptions beneath them.

Live this todayDistinguish Material Nature from the Conscious SoulThis 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 11.24.4? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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