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

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Canto 2 · The Cosmic Manifestation · 10 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 2 · Chapter 1: The First Step in God Realization
2.1.102.1.12

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 2.1.11

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 2.1.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

एतन्निर्विद्यमानानामिच्छतामकुतोभयम् ।

योगिनां नृप निर्णीतं हरेर्नामानुकीर्तनम् ॥ ११ ॥

etan nirvidyamānānām

icchatām akuto-bhayam

yogināṁ nṛpa nirṇītaṁ

harer nāmānukīrtanam

Translation

O King, constant chanting of the holy name of the Lord after the ways of the great authorities is the doubtless and fearless way of success for all, including those who are free from all material desires, those who are desirous of all material enjoyment, and also those who are self-satisfied by dint of transcendental knowledge.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Chant the Holy Name for the Lord

  1. 1

    Constant chanting of the Lord’s holy name, following the great authorities, is the doubtless and fearless path of success for all. It is recommended for those with material desires, those free from them and those satisfied in transcendental knowledge.

  2. 2

    Hearing the holy name from authorities is the first essential. Offenseless chanting and hearing gradually reveal the Lord’s transcendental form, attributes and pastimes.

  3. 3

    Devotees seek the satisfaction of Śrī Kṛṣṇa, not personal enjoyment or even liberation. Since the holy name is identical with the Lord, it should be honored without offenses, not treated as a means of obtaining material benefits.

Key points from the purport
  • The second offense is to see the holy names of the Lord in terms of worldly distinction.
  • The sixth offense is to interpret the holy name.
  • The Lord is not imaginary, nor is His holy name.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 4

Quoted in the purport ofSB 2.9.36

“O King, it is finally decided that everyone, namely those in the renounced order of life, the mystics, and the enjoyers of fruitive work, should chant the holy name of the Lord fearlessly to achieve the desired success in their pursuits.”

Quoted in the purport ofSB 7.5.23-24

In Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (2.1.11) Śukadeva Gosvāmī tells King Parīkṣit: “O King, for great yogīs who have completely renounced all material connections, for those who desire all material enjoyment and for those who are self-satisfied by dint of transcendental knowledge, constant chanting of the holy name of the Lord is recommended.”

Quoted in the purport ofSB 11.2.55

As stated in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (2.1.11): “O King, constant chanting of the holy name of the Lord after the ways of the great authorities is the doubtless and fearless way of success for all, including those who are free from all material desires, those who are desirous of all material enjoyment, and also those who are self-satisfied by dint of transcendental…

Quoted in the purport ofSB 11.5.38-40

In Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (2.1.11), Śukadeva Gosvāmī has stated: “O King, constant chanting of the holy name of the Lord after the ways of the great authorities is the doubtless and fearless way of success for all, including those who are free from all material desires, those who are desirous of all material enjoyment, and also those who are self-satisfied by dint…

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

How it feels

Death anxiety → Steady attention. The answer to mortality begins with spiritual focus.

Chapters 1–3 of Canto 2: The practice of hearing, remembering and devotion. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 1: The First Step in God Realization

Śukadeva describes the value of conscious living, self-control, and meditation on the Lord’s universal form.

Back to this verse in chapter 2.1
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. etatit is
  2. nirvidyamānānāmof those who are completely free from all material desires
  3. icchatāmof those who are desirous of all sorts of material enjoyment
  4. akutaḥ-bhayamfree from all doubts and fear
  5. yogināmof all who are self-satisfied
  6. nṛpaO King
  7. nirṇītamdecided truth
  8. hareḥof the Lord, Śrī Kṛṣṇa
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 2.1

    In this verse: “chanting”, “holy name”, “hearing”

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 2.1

    In this verse: “free from”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 2.1

    In this verse: “knowledge”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can I make my chanting more about satisfying the Lord than obtaining something for myself?

Practice

Hear the Lord’s holy name from an authorized spiritual teacher, then spend one minute chanting it aloud with care and respect.

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 · quoted in 1 more lecture. Recordings and transcripts on prabhupada.io.

Quoted in 1 other lecture

In each of these he quotes this verse while speaking on another verse or subject. "Find the quote" opens the transcript at that spot.

Live this todayChant the Holy Name for the LordOne of the 108 chosen lessons: a practice and a question from this verse

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 2.1.11? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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