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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 10: Bhāgavatam Is the Answer to All Questions
2.10.122.10.14

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 2.10.13

Sarga· Creation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 2.10.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

एको नानात्वमन्विच्छन् योगतल्पात् समुत्थित: ।

वीर्यं हिरण्मयं देवो मायया व्यसृजत् त्रिधा ॥ १३ ॥

eko nānātvam anvicchan

yoga-talpāt samutthitaḥ

vīryaṁ hiraṇmayaṁ devo

māyayā vyasṛjat tridhā

Translation

The Lord, while lying on His bed of mystic slumber, generated the seminal symbol, golden in hue, through external energy out of His desire to manifest varieties of living entities from Himself alone.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Creation Moves by the Lord’s Will

  1. 1

    Material nature and the living entities merge into the Lord at annihilation and are manifested again by His desire. Material nature always works under His control.

  2. 2

    Creation and its energies are simultaneously one with and different from the Lord. Everything emanates from Him, yet His expanded energies have distinct functions designed by Him.

  3. 3

    Conditioned living entities appear in different states according to their desires under the modes of nature. Liberated souls are unconditionally surrendered and are not subject to creation and annihilation.

Key points from the purport
  • Therefore the material nature is working under the control of the Lord.
  • As such, before the creation or manifestation of the material cosmic world, the Lord exists as total energy (mahā-samaṣṭi), and thus desiring Himself to be diffused to many, He expands Himself further into multitotal energy (samaṣṭi).
  • The living entities are also similar energy (marginal potency) of the Lord, and thus they are simultaneously one with and different from Him.

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

The purport of SB 2.10.13 quotesBG 9.7

In the Bhagavad-gītā (9.7-8) the creation and annihilation of the material world are stated as follows:

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

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

Further reading

Chapter 10: Bhāgavatam Is the Answer to All Questions

Śukadeva outlines the Bhāgavatam’s subjects and describes creation through the Lord’s universal form.

Back to this verse in chapter 2.10
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. ekaḥHe, one alone
  2. nānātvamvarieties
  3. anvicchanso desiring
  4. yoga-talpātfrom the bedstead of mystic slumber
  5. samutthitaḥthus generated
  6. vīryamthe semen
  7. hiraṇmayamgolden hue
  8. devaḥthe demigod
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Sarga · The creation of the universe

    Where does the universe come from? · Subject 1 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 2.10

    In this verse: “material”

  • Śaraṇāgati · Wholehearted surrender

    Relinquishing ownership while entrusting oneself to the Lord. · Theme in SB 2.10

    In this verse: “surrendered”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What desire could I begin to replace with a more surrendered attitude toward the Lord?

Practice

Identify one personal desire today and take a moment to express your willingness to serve the Lord rather than insist on your own way.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayCreation Moves by the Lord’s WillThis 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 2.10.13? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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