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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
2.1.112.1.13

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 2.1.12

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

किं प्रमत्तस्य बहुभि: परोक्षैर्हायनैरिह ।

वरं मुहूर्तं विदितं घटते श्रेयसे यत: ॥ १२ ॥

kiṁ pramattasya bahubhiḥ

parokṣair hāyanair iha

varaṁ muhūrtaṁ viditaṁ

ghaṭate śreyase yataḥ

Translation

What is the value of a prolonged life which is wasted, inexperienced by years in this world? Better a moment of full consciousness, because that gives one a start in searching after his supreme interest.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

One Conscious Moment Has Lasting Value

  1. 1

    Better a moment of full consciousness than hundreds of years without understanding life’s supreme interest. Human life is meant for spiritual success, eternal knowledge and bliss.

  2. 2

    The easiest procedure for attaining spiritual success is to chant the holy name of the Lord. Lord Kṛṣṇa is supreme, everyone else is subordinate, and no other name should be considered equal to His holy name.

  3. 3

    One should use life to glorify the Lord without offense. This includes not belittling His devotees and not using the holy name’s power as an excuse for sinful activities.

Key points from the purport
  • Śrīla Śukadeva Gosvāmī instructed Mahārāja Parīkṣit about the importance of the chanting of the holy name of the Lord by every progressive gentleman.
  • Since no one is more powerful than or equal to the energy of the Supreme Lord, no one’s name can be as powerful as that of the Lord.
  • Therefore, one should not equalize the supreme holy name of the Lord with any other 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· 1

The purport of SB 2.1.12 quotesBG 10.41

As far as distinguishing the Lord’s holy name from the names of the demigods, the revealed scriptures disclose that all extraordinarily powerful beings are but parts and parcels of the supreme energetic, Lord Kṛṣṇa.

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. kimwhat is
  2. pramattasyaof the bewildered
  3. bahubhiḥby many
  4. parokṣaiḥinexperienced
  5. hāyanaiḥyears
  6. ihain this world
  7. varambetter
  8. muhūrtama moment
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: “chant”, “glorify”, “holy name”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “knowledge”, “understanding”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 2.1

    In this verse: “devotees”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How much of my day goes toward spiritual success rather than passing enjoyment?

Practice

Spend one attentive minute chanting the holy name of the Lord, valuing this opportunity to glorify Him.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayOne Conscious Moment Has Lasting ValueOne 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 2.1.12? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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