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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
2.1.142.1.16

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 2.1.15

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

अन्तकाले तु पुरुष आगते गतसाध्वस: ।

छिन्द्यादसङ्गशस्त्रेण स्पृहां देहेऽनु ये च तम् ॥ १५ ॥

anta-kāle tu puruṣa

āgate gata-sādhvasaḥ

chindyād asaṅga-śastreṇa

spṛhāṁ dehe ’nu ye ca tam

Translation

At the last stage of one’s life, one should be bold enough not to be afraid of death. But one must cut off all attachment to the material body and everything pertaining to it and all desires thereof.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Transfer Attachment to the Lord’s Service

  1. 1

    Death is a change of body, not the loss of the living being’s identity. Knowing this, an intelligent person prepares now for the next life rather than seeking a permanent settlement here.

  2. 2

    Desire cannot be stopped, but its subject can be changed. Attachment to family, society and country should be transferred to devotional service of the Lord.

  3. 3

    As the desire to return home, back to Godhead, develops, desires for material gain, honor and popularity diminish. Our natural service attitude reaches perfection when directed toward God.

Key points from the purport
  • Death is therefore a process of changing the body at the end of the duration of the present life.
  • An intelligent person must be prepared for this and must try to have the best type of body in the next life.
  • Foolish people attach more importance to the present temporary life, and thus the foolish leaders make appeals to the body and the bodily relations.

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

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. anta-kāleat the last stage of life
  2. tubut
  3. puruṣaḥa person
  4. āgatehaving arrived
  5. gata-sādhvasaḥwithout any fear of death
  6. chindyātmust cut off
  7. asaṅganonattachment
  8. śastreṇaby the weapon of
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 2.1

    In this verse: “attachment”, “material”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 2.1

    In this verse: “afraid”, “death”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotional service”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Which desire for gain, honor or popularity could I redirect toward serving the Lord?

Practice

Write down one material ambition and one small act of devotional service you can choose in its place today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayTransfer Attachment to the Lord’s ServiceThis 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.

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