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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
2.10.152.10.17

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 2.10.16

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

अनुप्राणन्ति यं प्राणा: प्राणन्तं सर्वजन्तुषु ।

अपानन्तमपानन्ति नरदेवमिवानुगा: ॥ १६ ॥

anuprāṇanti yaṁ prāṇāḥ

prāṇantaṁ sarva-jantuṣu

apānantam apānanti

nara-devam ivānugāḥ

Translation

As the followers of a king follow their lord, similarly when the total energy is in motion, all other living entities move, and when the total energy stops endeavoring, all other living entities stop sensual activities.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

No Living Entity Is Independent

  1. 1

    When the total energy moves, living entities move; when it stops endeavoring, their sensual activities stop. They follow it as a king’s followers follow their lord.

  2. 2

    Individual living entities depend completely on the total energy of the supreme puruṣa. Their dependence is like that of an electric lamp on its power supply.

  3. 3

    The chain of dependence extends through water, clouds, the sun and creation. Creation itself depends on the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the cause of all causes.

Key points from the purport
  • The individual living entities are completely dependent on the total energy of the supreme puruṣa.
  • Each and every electrical instrument depends fully on the total powerhouse, the total powerhouse depends on the reservoir of water for generating electricity, water depends on the clouds, the clouds depend on the sun, the sun depends on creation, and the creation depends on the movement of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
  • Thus the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the cause of all causes.

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

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. anuprāṇantifollow the living symptoms
  2. yamwhom
  3. prāṇāḥsenses
  4. prāṇantamendeavoring
  5. sarva-jantuṣuin all living entities
  6. apānantamstop endeavoring
  7. apānantiall others stop
  8. nara-devama king
  9. ivalike
  10. anugāḥthe followers
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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 2.10

    In this verse: “king”, “king’s”

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 everyday activity reminds me that my power to act is not independent?

Practice

When you switch on a lamp today, recall the purport’s example and acknowledge the Supreme Personality of Godhead as the ultimate cause.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayNo Living Entity Is IndependentThis 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 2.10.16? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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