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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
2.10.172.10.19

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 2.10.18

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

मुखतस्तालु निर्भिन्नं जिह्वा तत्रोपजायते ।

ततो नानारसो जज्ञे जिह्वया योऽधिगम्यते ॥ १८ ॥

mukhatas tālu nirbhinnaṁ

jihvā tatropajāyate

tato nānā-raso jajñe

jihvayā yo ’dhigamyate

Translation

From the mouth the palate became manifested, and thereupon the tongue was also generated. After this all the different tastes came into existence so that the tongue can relish them.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Taste Reveals Three Interdependent Categories

  1. 1

    The palate appeared from the mouth, followed by the tongue and the different tastes. This gradual development also indicates the appearance of the controlling deity.

  2. 2

    Varuṇa is the controlling deity of relishable juices. His appearance is therefore understood alongside the development of the tongue.

  3. 3

    The tongue and palate are material instruments, or adhibhūtam; the functioning deity is adhidaiva. The person experiencing the function is adhyātma.

Key points from the purport
  • Therefore the mouth becomes the resting place for the tongue, which tastes all the different juices, of which the controlling deity is Varuṇa.
  • This suggests, therefore, that Varuṇa was also generated along with the development of the tongue.
  • Thus the three categories are also explained as to their birth after the opening of the mouth of the virāṭ-puruṣa.

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. mukhataḥfrom the mouth
  2. tāluthe palate
  3. nirbhinnambeing generated
  4. jihvāthe tongue
  5. tatrathereupon
  6. upajāyatebecomes manifested
  7. tataḥthereupon
  8. nānā-rasaḥvarious tastes
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 distinguishing the instrument, controller and experiencer deepen my understanding of tasting?

Practice

When tasting something today, briefly recall the three categories: the tongue and palate, Varuṇa, and the person experiencing the taste.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayTaste Reveals Three Interdependent CategoriesThis 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.

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