FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 11.22.4

श्रीभगवानुवाच युक्तं च सन्ति सर्वत्र भाषन्ते ब्राह्मणा यथा । मायां मदीयामुद्गृह्य वदतां किं नु दुर्घटम् ॥ ४ ॥
śrī-bhagavān uvāca
[shree-bhagavaan uvaacha]
yuktaṁ ca santi sarvatra
[yuktam cha santi sarvatra]
bhāṣante brāhmaṇā yathā
[bhaashante braahmanaa yathaa]
māyāṁ madīyām udgṛhya
[maayaam madeeyaam udgrihya]
vadatāṁ kiṁ nu durghaṭam
[vadataam kim nu durghatam]
śrī-bhagavān uvāca — the Supreme Personality of Godhead said yuktam — reasonably ca — even santi — they are present sarvatra — everywhere bhāṣante — they speak brāhmaṇāḥ — brāhmaṇas yathā — how māyām — the mystic energy madīyām — My udgṛhya — resorting to vadatām — of those who speak kim — what nu — after all durghaṭam — will be impossible.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
śrī-bhagavān uvāca
śrī-bhagavān uvāca
the Supreme Personality of Godhead said
yuktaṁ ca santi sarvatra
yuktam
reasonably
ca
even
santi
they are present
sarvatra
everywhere
bhāṣante brāhmaṇā yathā
bhāṣante
they speak
brāhmaṇāḥ
brāhmaṇas
yathā
how
māyāṁ madīyām udgṛhya
māyām
the mystic energy
madīyām
My
udgṛhya
resorting to
vadatāṁ kiṁ nu durghaṭam
vadatām
of those who speak
kim
what
nu
after all
durghaṭam
will be impossible.
Lord Kṛṣṇa replied: Because all material elements are present everywhere, it is reasonable that different learned brāhmaṇas have analyzed them in different ways. All such philosophers spoke under the shelter of My mystic potency, and thus they could say anything without contradicting the truth.

The words santi sarvatra in this verse indicate that all material elements are found within each other in gross and subtle forms. In this way there are innumerable ways to categorically describe them. The material world is ultimately illusory, undergoing constant transformation. It may be measured in different ways, just as the mirage of an oasis may be described in different ways, but the Lord’s own analysis of twenty-eight elements is perfect and should be accepted. Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī states that the word māyā in this verse does not refer to mahā-māyā, or the potency of ignorance, but to the Lord’s inconceivable mystic power, which shelters the learned followers of Vedic knowledge. Each of the philosophers mentioned here reveals a particular aspect of truth, and their theories are not contradictory, since they are simply describing the same phenomena with different categorical systems. Such philosophical disagreement is endless within the material world; thus everyone should unite on the platform of the Lord’s own opinion, as stated in this verse. Similarly, in Bhagavad-gītā Lord Kṛṣṇa requests all conditioned souls to give up their various forms of worship and surrender unto Him in full Kṛṣṇa consciousness, becoming His devotees. Thus the whole universe can be united in love of Godhead by chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare. By the Lord’s revealing Himself to a sincere devotee, the controversy of analytic philosophy is ended.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
Lord Kṛṣṇa replied: Because all material elements are present in the other elements, all these sages speak the truth. It is not difficult for disputants who have taken shelter of my māyā to argue. Actually there is no quarrel among the sages. The sages speak the truth since all the elements are within all the other elements. “Why is there a dispute at all?” There is bewilderment from my māyā. My māyā gives them the ability to accept this māyā and dispute as long as the sun and moon exist.
Because all elements are present everywhere, brāhmaṇas analyze them differently — all under His mystic potency, so each can defend their position. Variety in analysis is built into reality.
Reflection Questions
  • When experts disagree about subtle matters, how do I respond?
  • Can I see disagreement as the Lord's mystic potency rather than failure?
📝 My note

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