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Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

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Canto 1 · Creation · 19 chapters

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Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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 1 · Chapter 2: Divinity and Divine Service
1.2.301.2.32

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.2.31

Sarga· Creation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Sūta Gosvāmīsince 1.2.2inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

तया विलसितेष्वेषु गुणेषु गुणवानिव ।

अन्त:प्रविष्ट आभाति विज्ञानेन विजृम्भित: ॥ ३१ ॥

tayā vilasiteṣv eṣu

guṇeṣu guṇavān iva

antaḥ-praviṣṭa ābhāti

vijñānena vijṛmbhitaḥ

Translation

After creating the material substance, the Lord [Vāsudeva] expands Himself and enters into it. And although He is within the material modes of nature and appears to be one of the created beings, He is always fully enlightened in His transcendental position.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Supersoul Is Our Eternal Friend

  1. 1

    The Lord accompanies the living entities as Paramātmā, their eternal friend. He guides them in their material enjoyment and witnesses all their activities.

  2. 2

    The purport compares the living entity and the Lord to two birds in one tree. One eats the fruit, while the other witnesses its actions.

  3. 3

    The conditioned soul forgets its real identity and is controlled by material nature. The Supersoul remains full in transcendental knowledge and controls the material energy.

Key points from the purport
  • While the living entities enjoy the material conditions, the Lord maintains His transcendental position without being affected by the material atmosphere.
  • The fruit-eater (living entity) has forgotten his real identity and is overwhelmed in the fruitive activities of the material conditions, but the Lord (Paramātmā) is always full in transcendental knowledge.
  • The conditioned soul, the living entity, is controlled by the laws of nature, while the Paramātmā, or the Supersoul, is the controller of the material energy.

Śrīla Prabhupāda'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

Concern → Purpose. A spiritually urgent question emerges for the age of Kali.

Chapters 1–3 of Canto 1: The sages ask the ultimate questions. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 2: Divinity and Divine Service

Sūta explains how hearing about Kṛṣṇa and rendering devotional service purify the heart.

Back to this verse in chapter 1.2
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tayāby them
  2. vilasiteṣualthough in the function
  3. eṣuthese
  4. guṇeṣuthe modes of material nature
  5. guṇavānaffected by the modes
  6. ivaas if
  7. antaḥwithin
  8. praviṣṭaḥentered into
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Sarga · The creation of the universe

    Where does the universe come from? · Subject 1 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 1.2

    In this verse: “material”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 1.2

    In this verse: “knowledge”

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 1.2

    In this verse: “friend”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How might remembering the Lord as my eternal friend and witness affect my choices?

Practice

Before one action today, pause to remember that Paramātmā accompanies you and witnesses your activities.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Śrīla Prabhupāda speaks

His recorded lectures on this verse, and the talks where he quotes it.

1 lecture given on it. Recordings and transcripts on prabhupada.io.

Live this todayThe Supersoul Is Our Eternal FriendThis 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.

Ask the BhāgavatamHave a question about SB 1.2.31? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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