Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 47

Sāṅkhya Enumeration of Tattvas, Distinction of Puruṣa–Prakṛti, and the Mechanics of Birth and Death

Devanagari script

निषेकगर्भजन्मानि बाल्यकौमारयौवनम् । वयोमध्यं जरा मृत्युरित्यवस्थास्तनोर्नव ॥ ४७ ॥

Transliteration

niṣeka-garbha-janmāni bālya-kaumāra-yauvanam vayo-madhyaṁ jarā mṛtyur ity avasthās tanor nava

Translation

Thụ thai, mang thai, sinh ra, thời sơ sinh, thời thơ ấu, tuổi thanh xuân, tuổi trung niên, tuổi già và cái chết—đó là chín giai đoạn của thân thể.

Synonyms

• niṣeka-garbha-janmāni: conception, gestation, and births (stages)
• niṣeka-garbha-janmāni: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: niṣeka (प्रातिपदिक) + garbha (प्रातिपदिक) + janman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वन्द्व-समास (copulative list: conception, pregnancy, birth); नपुंसकलिङ्ग (N), प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nom/Acc), बहुवचन (Pl)

• bālya-kaumāra-yauvanam: childhood, boyhood, youth
• bālya-kaumāra-yauvanam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bālya (प्रातिपदिक) + kaumāra (प्रातिपदिक) + yauvana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वन्द्व-समास (childhood, boyhood, youth); नपुंसकलिङ्ग (N), प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन (collective)

• vayaḥ-madhyam: middle age
• vayaḥ-madhyam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vayas (प्रातिपदिक) + madhya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (‘middle of age’); नपुंसकलिङ्ग (N), प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• jarā: old age
• jarā: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jarā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (F), प्रथमा, एकवचन

• mṛtyuḥ: death
• mṛtyuḥ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mṛtyu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (M), प्रथमा, एकवचन

• iti: thus
• iti: Vākyārtha-dyotaka (वाक्यार्थद्योतक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iti (अव्यय)
• Form: इति-शब्दः (quotative particle)

• avasthāḥ: states/conditions
• avasthāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: avasthā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (F), प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• tanoḥ: of the body
• tanoḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tanu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (F), षष्ठी, एकवचन

• nava: nine
• nava: Saṅkhyā-viśeṣaṇa (संख्याविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nava (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (N) (संख्याविशेषण), प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण (agreeing with implied ‘(etāḥ)’)

Characters & Entities

• Uddhava
• Śrī Kṛṣṇa

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the stages of the human body?

In 11.22.47, Lord Kṛṣṇa explains that the body undergoes nine successive stages—conception through death—showing its temporary, ever-changing nature.

Why did Krishna explain bodily stages to Uddhava in the Uddhava Gita?

Kṛṣṇa teaches Uddhava to cultivate clear detachment and self-knowledge by seeing the body as a changing condition, distinct from the eternal ātmā, thereby strengthening steady devotion.

How can this teaching be applied in modern life?

By remembering that the body inevitably changes from youth to old age and death, one can reduce anxiety and pride, prioritize spiritual practice, and invest life in bhakti rather than temporary bodily identity.