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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
2.1.32.1.5

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 2.1.4

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 2.1.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

देहापत्यकलत्रादिष्वात्मसैन्येष्वसत्स्वपि ।

तेषां प्रमत्तो निधनं पश्यन्नपि न पश्यति ॥ ४ ॥

dehāpatya-kalatrādiṣv

ātma-sainyeṣv asatsv api

teṣāṁ pramatto nidhanaṁ

paśyann api na paśyati

Translation

Persons devoid of ātma-tattva do not inquire into the problems of life, being too attached to the fallible soldiers like the body, children and wife. Although sufficiently experienced, they still do not see their inevitable destruction.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Seek Knowledge Beyond Fallible Material Shelter

  1. 1

    The body, family, society and country are fallible soldiers in the struggle with material nature. Although we have seen others die, attachment makes us overlook our own inevitable death.

  2. 2

    The living soul is always different from material nature. Without knowledge of the self, we waste human energy searching for permanent living conditions in a world where they are impossible.

  3. 3

    Material support cannot save us from death. Devotees of the Lord who have perfect realization of transcendental knowledge are not bewildered.

Key points from the purport
  • Therefore, this life is a sort of fight with material nature, which imposes death upon all.
  • Our friends, relatives and so-called wives and children are not only fallible, but also bewildered by the outward glamor of material existence.
  • Everyone is a dead body flapping only for a few days, and yet all the energy of human life is being wasted in the decoration of this dead body.

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

Quoted in the purport ofSB 10.62.9

As stated in the Bhāgavatam (2.1.4), paśyann api na paśyati: Even though their imminent destruction is apparent, they are too blind to see it, being intoxicated by sex enjoyment and family attachment.

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. dehabody
  2. apatyachildren
  3. kalatrawife
  4. ādiṣuand in everything in relation to them
  5. ātmaown
  6. sainyeṣufighting soldiers
  7. asatsufallible
  8. apiin spite of
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Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “attached”, “attachment”, “material”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “inquire”, “knowledge”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 2.1

    In this verse: “children”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What temporary support do I sometimes treat as if it could give me permanent safety?

Practice

Write down one temporary shelter you depend on, then reread the purport’s statement that the living soul is different from material nature.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

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Śrīla Prabhupāda speaks

His recorded lectures on this verse, and the talks where he quotes it.

8 lectures given on it · quoted in 27 more lectures. Recordings and transcripts on prabhupada.io.

Show 6 more lectures on it
Quoted in 27 other lectures

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 todaySeek Knowledge Beyond Fallible Material ShelterOne 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 2.1.4? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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