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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.
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Canto 11 · Chapter 9: Detachment from All that Is Material
11.9.1911.9.21

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.9.20

Sarga· Creation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The saintly brāhmaṇasince 11.9.1inside 4 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Kṛṣṇa → UddhavaThe avadhūta → King Yadu

तामाहुस्त्रिगुणव्यक्तिं सृजन्तीं विश्वतोमुखम् ।

यस्मिन् प्रोतमिदं विश्वं येन संसरते पुमान् ॥ २० ॥

tām āhus tri-guṇa-vyaktiṁ

sṛjantīṁ viśvato-mukham

yasmin protam idaṁ viśvaṁ

yena saṁsarate pumān

Translation

According to great sages, that which is the basis of the three modes of material nature and which manifests the variegated universe is called the sūtra or mahat-tattva. Indeed, this universe is resting within that mahat-tattva, and due to its potency the living entity undergoes material existence.

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.

Remember Your Real Friend, the Supreme Lord

  1. 1

    The mahat-tattva is the basis of the three modes and the varied universe. The universe rests within it, and through its potency the living entity undergoes material existence.

  2. 2

    The cosmic manifestation is real because it comes from the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Yet the material world is temporary and full of problems.

  3. 3

    Trying to become lord of this inferior creation separates the conditioned soul from his real friend, the Supreme Lord. Absorption in material sense gratification causes real knowledge to be lost.

Key points from the purport
  • The cosmic manifestation is a reality because it emanates from the supreme reality, the Personality of Godhead.
  • The conditioned soul foolishly tries to become the lord of this inferior creation and becomes separated from his real friend, the Supreme Lord.
  • In this state, his only business is material sense gratification, and his real knowledge is lost.

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

Grief and dependence → Detachment. The temporary world becomes a source of spiritual instruction.

Chapters 7–9 of Canto 11: The avadhuta's twenty-four teachers. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 9: Detachment from All that Is Material

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

From the weak insect who assumed the same form as the peśaskṛt wasp, the avadhūta brāhmaṇa learned that the living entity, under the sway of affection, hatred and fear, attains in his next life the identity of that object upon which he fixes his intelligence.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.9
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tāmthe mahat-tattva
  2. āhuḥthey say
  3. tri-guṇathe three modes of material nature
  4. vyaktimmanifesting as the cause
  5. sṛjantīmcreating
  6. viśvataḥ-mukhammany different categories of cosmic manifestation
  7. yasminwithin the mahat-tattva
  8. protamstrung and bound
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 11.9

    In this verse: “material”, “sense gratification”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 11.9

    In this verse: “knowledge”

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 11.9

    In this verse: “friend”

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

Where does my desire to control or enjoy the material world make me forget my real friend?

Practice

Pause before one choice aimed at sense gratification and remember the Supreme Lord as your real friend.

5

The story around it

The stories this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRemember Your Real Friend, the Supreme LordThis 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 11.9.20? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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