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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
2.10.132.10.15

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 2.10.14

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

अधिदैवमथाध्यात्ममधिभूतमिति प्रभु: ।

अथैकं पौरुषं वीर्यं त्रिधाभिद्यत तच्छृणु ॥ १४ ॥

adhidaivam athādhyātmam

adhibhūtam iti prabhuḥ

athaikaṁ pauruṣaṁ vīryaṁ

tridhābhidyata tac chṛṇu

Translation

Just hear from me how the potency of His Lordship divides one into three, called the controlling entities, the controlled entities and the material bodies, in the manner mentioned above.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

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

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

One Potency Appears in Three Divisions

  1. 1

    The Lord’s potency is described as one potency dividing into three.

  2. 2

    These three divisions are the controlling entities, the controlled entities and the material bodies.

  3. 3

    The verse invites us to hear how this division takes place. All three are presented in relation to the potency of His Lordship.

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. adhidaivamthe controlling entities
  2. athanow
  3. adhyātmamthe controlled entities
  4. adhibhūtamthe material bodies
  5. itithus
  6. prabhuḥthe Lord
  7. athain this way
  8. ekamone only
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”

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

How does seeing these three divisions as the Lord’s potency change my understanding of them?

Practice

Read the translation aloud once, then name its three divisions from memory.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayOne Potency Appears in Three DivisionsThis 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 2.10.14? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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