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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 25: The Three Modes of Nature and Beyond
11.25.2-511.25.7

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.25.6

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Supreme Personality of Godheadsince 11.25.1inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Kṛṣṇa → Uddhava

सन्निपातस्त्वहमिति ममेत्युद्धव या मति: ।

व्यवहार: सन्निपातो मनोमात्रेन्द्रियासुभि: ॥ ६ ॥

sannipātas tv aham iti

mamety uddhava yā matiḥ

vyavahāraḥ sannipāto

mano-mātrendriyāsubhiḥ

Translation

My dear Uddhava, the combination of all three modes is present in the mentality of “I” and “mine.” The ordinary transactions of this world, which are carried out through the agency of the mind, the objects of perception, the senses and the vital airs of the physical body, are also based on the combination of the modes.

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.

Beyond the Mentality of “I” and “Mine”

  1. 1

    The illusory concept of “I” and “mine” arises from a mixture of the three modes. One may identify with being peaceful, lusty or angry and claim these qualities as one’s own.

  2. 2

    In ordinary material activity, the modes do not occur in pure isolation. Their mixture makes normal functioning within this world possible.

  3. 3

    Pure consciousness means thinking, “I am an eternal servant of Lord Kṛṣṇa” and “My only possession is loving service to the Lord.” This consciousness is beyond the material modes.

Key points from the purport
  • The illusory concept of “I” and “mine” occurs by the mixture of the three modes of nature.
  • One completely absorbed in the mentality of being peaceful could not work in the material world; he would lack any impulse to perform activity.
  • Thus we find that a material mode does not occur in a pure, isolated form but rather is mixed with other modes, thereby making possible normal functioning within this world.

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 25: The Three Modes of Nature and Beyond

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

In the admixture of the three modes we find the concept of “I” and “my,” behavior in accordance with this mentality by body, mind and words, adherence to the principles of religiosity, economic development and sense gratification, and the fixed pursuit of one’s occupational duty for material interest. A person whose character is in the mode of goodness worships Lord Hari in a spirit of devotion, without regard to profit.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.25
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. sannipātaḥthe combination of the modes
  2. tuand
  3. aham iti“I”
  4. mama iti“mine”
  5. uddhavaO Uddhava
  6. yāwhich
  7. matiḥmentality
  8. vyavahāraḥordinary activities
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 11.25

    In this verse: “lusty”, “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 would change if you saw loving service to Lord Kṛṣṇa as your only possession?

Practice

Before one activity today, pause and remember, “I am an eternal servant of Lord Kṛṣṇa.”

Live this todayBeyond the Mentality of “I” and “Mine”This 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 11.25.6? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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