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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
2.10.162.10.18

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 2.10.17

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

प्राणेनाक्षिपता क्षुत् तृडन्तरा जायते विभो: ।

पिपासतो जक्षतश्च प्राङ्‍मुखं निरभिद्यत ॥ १७ ॥

prāṇenākṣipatā kṣut tṛḍ

antarā jāyate vibhoḥ

pipāsato jakṣataś ca

prāṅ mukhaṁ nirabhidyata

Translation

The living force, being agitated by the virāṭ-puruṣa, generated hunger and thirst, and when He desired to drink and eat, the mouth opened.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Supreme Cause Has Personal Desire

  1. 1

    The living force, agitated by the virāṭ-puruṣa, generated hunger and thirst. When He desired to eat and drink, the mouth opened.

  2. 2

    The development of individual sense organs appears to follow the same principles. The supreme cause of generation is therefore neither impersonal nor without desire.

  3. 3

    The desires for sense perception and the sense organs exist in the Supreme and thus appear in individuals. The mouth represents the same principle that applies to all the senses.

Key points from the purport
  • The process by which all living beings in the womb of the mother develop their sense organs and sense perceptions appears to follow the same principles in the case of the virāṭ-puruṣa, the sum total of all living entities.
  • The desires for all kinds of sense perception and sense organs exist in the Supreme, and thus they take place in the individual persons.
  • Here the mouth is the symbolic representation of all sense organs, for the same principles apply to the others also.

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. prāṇenaby the living force
  2. ākṣipatābeing agitated
  3. kṣuthunger
  4. tṛṭthirst
  5. antarāfrom within
  6. jāyategenerates
  7. vibhoḥof the Supreme
  8. pipāsataḥbeing desirous to quench the thirst
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

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 2.10

    In this verse: “principles”

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 this account help me understand the Absolute Truth as a living person rather than an impersonal force?

Practice

Before drinking water today, recall that the capacity for sense perception has its origin in the Supreme.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Supreme Cause Has Personal DesireThis 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 2.10.17? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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