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Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

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Canto 12 · The Age of Deterioration · 13 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 12 · Chapter 11: Summary Description of the Mahāpuruṣa
12.11.412.11.6-8

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 12.11.5

Sarga· Creation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Sūta Gosvāmīsince 12.11.4inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

मायाद्यैर्नवभिस्तत्त्वै: स विकारमयो विराट् ।

निर्मितो द‍ृश्यते यत्र सचित्के भुवनत्रयम् ॥ ५ ॥

māyādyair navabhis tattvaiḥ

sa vikāra-mayo virāṭ

nirmito dṛśyate yatra

sa-citke bhuvana-trayam

Translation

The universal form [virāṭ] of the Personality of Godhead includes the nine basic elements of creation, starting with the unmanifest nature, and their subsequent transformations. Once this universal form is instilled with consciousness, the three planetary systems become visible within it.

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.

Creation Within the Lord’s Universal Form

  1. 1

    The universal form of the Personality of Godhead includes nine basic elements: prakṛti, sūtra, mahat-tattva, false ego and the five subtle perceptions.

  2. 2

    Their transformations are the eleven senses and the five gross material elements.

  3. 3

    When this universal form is instilled with consciousness, the three planetary systems become visible within it.

Key points from the purport
  • The nine basic elements of creation are prakṛti, sūtra, mahat-tattva, false ego, and the five subtle perceptions.
  • The transformations are the eleven senses and the five gross material elements.

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

Wonder → Benediction and peace. The work closes by exalting hearing and remembering the Lord.

Chapters 11–13 of Canto 12: The Mahāpuruṣa and the glories of Bhāgavatam. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 11: Summary Description of the Mahāpuruṣa

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

In the context of worship, this chapter describes the Mahāpuruṣa and the various expansions of the sun in each month. Śrī Sūta first tells Śaunaka Ṛṣi about the material objects through which one can understand the major limbs, the secondary limbs, the weapons and the garments of Lord Śrī Hari.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 12.11
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. māyā-ādyaiḥbeginning with the unmanifest stage of nature
  2. navabhiḥwith the nine
  3. tattvaiḥelements
  4. saḥthat
  5. vikāra-mayaḥalso comprising the transformations (of the eleven senses and the five gross elements)
  6. virāṭthe universal form of the Lord
  7. nirmitaḥconstructed
  8. dṛśyateare seen
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 12.11

    In this verse: “material”

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 12.11

    In this verse: “false ego”

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 this description help me consider creation in relation to the Personality of Godhead?

Practice

Read the list of basic elements once, remembering that they are included within the Lord’s universal form.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayCreation Within the Lord’s 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 12.11.5? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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