Questions by King Parīkṣit

Parīkṣit requests further hearing about Kṛṣṇa and asks questions about creation, time, duty, and devotional service.

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Themes of SB 2.8Jñāna5 Bhakti4 Dainya3 Kṛpā3 from its story phase

Connected storiesBrahmā's birth from the lotusPūtanāAmbarīṣa Mahārāja

Who is speakingSūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitEvery voice in this chapter ›

What this chapter speaks about · the ten subjects

In this chapter

Who · King Parīkṣit, Śukadeva Gosvāmī

The story · King Parīkṣit asked Śukadeva Gosvāmī to continue narrating Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam so that he could fix his mind on Lord Kṛṣṇa and leave his body free from material qualities. He asked about creation, time, living beings, religious duties, and devotional service. As a surrendered student, he requested full knowledge, including matters he had not thought to ask about. Śukadeva was very pleased by this invitation to discuss Lord Kṛṣṇa among devotees.

What it teaches · Hearing about Kṛṣṇa was central to Parīkṣit’s preparation for death. A devotee whose heart is cleansed by devotional service finds full satisfaction at Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet.

SB 2.8.3 SB 2.8.6 SB 2.8.27 Read chapter 8 ›

Beyond this chapter

Connected stories across the Bhāgavatam

Stories told in other chapters that this chapter's verses or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purports bring in, the other Bhāgavatam verses the purports quote, and stories in other cantos with the same themes. Each link shows the sentence it comes from.

Brahmā's birth from the lotus

SB 3.8–12 · Brahmā discovers his source

What it teaches · Brahmā’s greatness rests upon his devotional service and mature transcendental knowledge. The Lord teaches that seeing Him in all living entities and throughout the universe frees one from illusion.

If the Supreme Personality of Godhead, from whose abdomen the lotus stem sprouted, is possessed of a gigantic body according to His own caliber and measurement, then what is the specific difference between the body of the Lord and those of common living entities?
In the verse · SB 2.8.8 (Text 8)

The body of Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu is described as sprouting the lotus stem within which all the planets of the universe remain, and at the top of the stem is the lotus flower on which Lord Brahmā is born.
Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport · SB 2.8.8 (Text 8)

Read the story in SB 3.8–12

Pūtanā

SB 10.5–7 · The infant Lord defeats Pūtanā and Tṛṇāvarta

What it teaches · Kṛṣṇa’s unlimited power remains present even in His infant pastimes. Hearing these activities cleanses the mind.

By His internal potency only, He kills the demon Pūtanā, even though enjoying His pastimes in the lap of His mother Yaśodā.
Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport · SB 2.8.23 (Text 23)

Read the story in SB 10.5–7

Ambarīṣa Mahārāja

SB 9.4–5 · Ambarīṣa protects Durvāsā

What it teaches · A devotee finds happiness in serving Kṛṣṇa rather than in wealth or mystic achievements. Ambarīṣa’s humility and compassion extended even to the person who had offended him.

…process of mystic powers, but, by the grace of the Lord, His devotee can defeat even a great yogeśvara like Durvāsā Muni, who picked a quarrel with Mahārāja Ambarīṣa and wanted to show the wonderful achievements of his mystic powers.
Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport · SB 2.8.20 (Text 20)

Read the story in SB 9.4–5

Same themes in another canto

SB 4.8–9Dhruva Mahārāja’s determinationJñānaBhakti

Both chapters carry these themes strongly in the themes map, an editorial reading of each chapter's story.

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