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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
2.1.292.1.31

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 2.1.30

Sthāna· The universe in order
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 2.1.23inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

द्यौरक्षिणी चक्षुरभूत्पतङ्ग:

पक्ष्माणि विष्णोरहनी उभे च ।

तद्भ्रूविजृम्भ: परमेष्ठिधिष्ण्य-

मापोऽस्य तालु रस एव जिह्वा ॥ ३० ॥

dyaur akṣiṇī cakṣur abhūt pataṅgaḥ

pakṣmāṇi viṣṇor ahanī ubhe ca

tad-bhrū-vijṛmbhaḥ parameṣṭhi-dhiṣṇyam

āpo ’sya tālū rasa eva jihvā

Translation

The sphere of outer space constitutes His eyepits, and the eyeball is the sun as the power of seeing. His eyelids are both the day and night, and in the movements of His eyebrows, Brahmā and similar supreme personalities reside. His palate is the director of water, Varuṇa, and the juice or essence of everything is His tongue.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Approach Vedic Wisdom With Humility

  1. 1

    Outer space is described as the Lord’s eyepits, the sun as His eyeball and power of seeing, and day and night as His eyelids.

  2. 2

    The purport explains that these descriptions may appear contradictory to ordinary common sense. Our common sense is imperfect, whereas the descriptions of the śāstras are perfect and complete.

  3. 3

    The recommended approach is to accept the scriptural description and concentrate on the virāṭ-rūpa. Apparent incongruities should lead us to recognize the limits of our own understanding.

Key points from the purport
  • To common sense the description in this verse appears to be somewhat contradictory because sometimes the sun has been described as the eyeball and sometimes as the outer space sphere.
  • But there is no room for common sense in the injunctions of the śāstras.
  • Common sense is always imperfect, whereas the description in the śāstras is always perfect and complete.

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. dyauḥthe sphere of outer space
  2. akṣiṇīthe eyeballs
  3. cakṣuḥof eyes (senses)
  4. abhūtit so became
  5. pataṅgaḥthe sun
  6. pakṣmāṇieyelids
  7. viṣṇoḥof the Personality of Godhead, Śrī Viṣṇu
  8. ahanīday and night
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Sthāna · Planetary systems

    How is the universe arranged, and what is our right place in it? · Subject 3 of 10

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “understanding”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How do I respond when a scriptural description goes beyond my present understanding?

Practice

Reread one unfamiliar description in this verse slowly, allowing yourself to contemplate it without demanding an immediate explanation.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayApproach Vedic Wisdom With HumilityThis 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 2.1.30? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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