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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 4: The Four Categories of Universal Annihilation
12.4.2712.4.29

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 12.4.28

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 12.4.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

यत् सामान्यविशेषाभ्यामुपलभ्येत स भ्रम: ।

अन्योन्यापाश्रयात् सर्वमाद्यन्तवदवस्तु यत् ॥ २८ ॥

yat sāmānya-viśeṣābhyām

upalabhyeta sa bhramaḥ

anyonyāpāśrayāt sarvam

ādy-antavad avastu yat

Translation

Anything experienced in terms of general cause and specific effect must be an illusion, because such causes and effects exist only relative to each other. Indeed, whatever has a beginning and an end is unreal.

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.

Kṛṣṇa Is Beyond Material Cause and Effect

  1. 1

    Material effects depend on their causes, and our perception of a cause depends on observing its effects. Fire’s burning nature, for example, is perceived through a burning object or ashes.

  2. 2

    Material causes and effects are defined relative to one another and have a beginning and an end. They are therefore temporary, relative and illusory.

  3. 3

    Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is the cause of all causes and has no beginning or end. His opulences and potencies are absolute reality, beyond material cause and effect.

Key points from the purport
  • The nature of a material cause cannot be perceived without perception of the effect.
  • In this way, not only do effects depend upon their causes, but the perception of the cause also depends upon observation of the effect.
  • Lord Kṛṣṇa’s opulences and potencies are absolute reality, beyond the interdependence of material cause and effect.

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

Civilizational dread → Dispassion. Social and cosmic impermanence expose the limits of worldly plans.

Chapters 1–4 of Canto 12: The deterioration of Kali and universal dissolution. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 4: The Four Categories of Universal Annihilation

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

He perceives the entire created universe as separate from the Absolute and therefore unreal. That is called the ātyantika, or final, annihilation (liberation).
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 12.4
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yatwhatever
  2. sāmānyain terms of general cause
  3. viśeṣābhyāmand specific product
  4. upalabhyetais experienced
  5. saḥthat
  6. bhramaḥis illusion
  7. anyonyamutual
  8. apāśrayātbecause of dependence
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 12.4

    In this verse: “illusion”, “material”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does Kṛṣṇa’s beginningless existence differ from the temporary causes and effects you observe?

Practice

Identify one temporary cause and effect today, then recall that Kṛṣṇa’s opulences and potencies are absolute reality.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa Is Beyond Material Cause and EffectThis 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.

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