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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
12.4.2812.4.30

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 12.4.29

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

विकार: ख्यायमानोऽपि प्रत्यगात्मानमन्तरा ।

न निरूप्योऽस्त्यणुरपि स्याच्चेच्चित्सम आत्मवत् ॥ २९ ॥

vikāraḥ khyāyamāno ’pi

pratyag-ātmānam antarā

na nirūpyo ’sty aṇur api

syāc cec cit-sama ātma-vat

Translation

Although perceived, the transformation of even a single atom of material nature has no ultimate definition without reference to the Supreme Soul. To be accepted as factually existing, something must possess the same quality as pure spirit — eternal, unchanging 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.

Material Nature Is the Lord’s External Potency

  1. 1

    Even the transformation of a single atom has no ultimate definition without reference to the Supreme Soul. Eternal, unchanging existence is the standard of factual reality.

  2. 2

    A desert mirage appears to be water but is actually a manifestation of light. Its appearance must be understood in relation to its source.

  3. 3

    Similarly, material nature falsely appears independent of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. It is actually His external potency.

Key points from the purport
  • A mirage of water appearing in the desert is actually a manifestation of light; the false appearance of water is a specific transformation of light.
  • That which falsely appears as independent material nature is similarly a transformation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
  • Material nature is the external potency of the Lord.

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:

Material life means subjugation to birth and death, or generation and annihilation. The only boat suitable for crossing the ocean of material existence, which is otherwise impossible to cross, is the boat of submissive hearing of the nectarean pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 12.4
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. vikāraḥthe transformation of created existence
  2. khyāyamānaḥappearing
  3. apialthough
  4. pratyak-ātmānamthe Supreme Soul
  5. antarāwithout
  6. nanot
  7. nirūpyaḥconceivable
  8. astiis
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Āśraya · The summum bonum

    Who is the shelter of everything? · Subject 10 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Do you tend to see material nature as independent, or as the Lord’s external potency?

Practice

Look at one material object and consciously remember that material nature is the Lord’s external potency.

Live this todayMaterial Nature Is the Lord’s External PotencyThis 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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