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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
2.1.162.1.18

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 2.1.17

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

अभ्यसेन्मनसा शुद्धं त्रिवृद्ब्रह्माक्षरं परम् ।

मनो यच्छेज्जितश्वासो ब्रह्मबीजमविस्मरन् ॥ १७ ॥

abhyasen manasā śuddhaṁ

trivṛd-brahmākṣaraṁ param

mano yacchej jita-śvāso

brahma-bījam avismaran

Translation

After sitting in the above manner, make the mind remember the three transcendental letters [a-u-m], and by regulating the breathing process, control the mind so as not to forget the transcendental seed.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Transform the Mind Through Transcendental Sound

  1. 1

    Oṁkāra, or praṇava, consists of the three transcendental letters a-u-m. Mentally repeating it with regulated breathing is described as a method for bringing the materially absorbed mind under control.

  2. 2

    The mind and desire are not to be stopped; their engagement must be changed toward spiritual realization. When thinking, feeling and willing change, the actions of the senses also change.

  3. 3

    Oṁkāra is a direct representation of the Supreme Absolute Truth, identical with the Lord, as is His holy name. Devotees directly fix their minds on the Personality of Godhead, while those unable to do so receive training for further progress.

Key points from the purport
  • Oṁkāra, or the praṇava, is the seed of transcendental realization, and it is composed of the three transcendental letters a-u-m.
  • Oṁkāra is the seed of all transcendental sound, and it is only the transcendental sound which can bring about the desired change of the mind and the senses.
  • But persons who are unable to realize the transcendental personal form or name of the Lord on account of their imperfect senses (in other words, the neophytes) are trained to the practice of self-realization by this mechanical process of regulating the breathing function and simultaneously repeating the praṇava (oṁkāra) within the mind.

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. abhyasetone should practice
  2. manasāby the mind
  3. śuddhamsacred
  4. tri-vṛtcomposed of the three
  5. brahma-akṣaramtranscendental letters
  6. paramthe supreme
  7. manaḥmind
  8. yacchetget under control
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotees”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

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

    In this verse: “holy name”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “absolute truth”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How could my thinking, feeling and willing become more directed toward the Lord?

Practice

Spend one quiet minute chanting the Lord’s holy name, remembering that His name is identical with Him.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayTransform the Mind Through Transcendental SoundThis 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 2.1.17? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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