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Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

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Canto

Canto 2 · The Cosmic Manifestation · 10 chapters

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

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How to study this verse, in six steps

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
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 10: Bhāgavatam Is the Answer to All Questions

2.10.10 2.10.12

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 2.10.11

Āśraya· The supreme shelter

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 2.10.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

तास्ववात्सीत् स्वसृष्टासु सहस्रंपरिवत्सरान् ।

तेन नारायणो नाम यदाप: पुरुषोद्भवा: ॥ ११ ॥

tāsv avātsīt sva-sṛṣṭāsu

sahasraṁ parivatsarān

tena nārāyaṇo nāma

yad āpaḥ puruṣodbhavāḥ

Translation

That Supreme Person is not impersonal and therefore is distinctively a nara, or person. Therefore the transcendental water created from the Supreme Nara is known as nāra. And because He lies down on that water, He is known as Nārāyaṇa.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Nārāyaṇa Is the Supreme Person

1
The Supreme is not impersonal. He is distinctively a nara, or person.
2
The transcendental water created from the Supreme Nara is called nāra.
3
Because the Supreme Person lies down on that water, He is known as Nārāyaṇa.

How it feels

Inquiry → Conviction. Divine knowledge resolves fundamental cosmic uncertainty.

Chapters 8–10 of Canto 2: Parīkṣit questions; Brahmā receives revelation. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc