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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
2.10.192.10.21

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 2.10.20

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

नासिके निरभिद्येतां दोधूयति नभस्वति ।

तत्र वायुर्गन्धवहो घ्राणो नसि जिघृक्षत: ॥ २० ॥

nāsike nirabhidyetāṁ

dodhūyati nabhasvati

tatra vāyur gandha-vaho

ghrāṇo nasi jighṛkṣataḥ

Translation

Thereafter, when the supreme puruṣa desired to smell odors, the nostrils and respiration were generated, the nasal instrument and odors came into existence, and the controlling deity of air, carrying smell, also became manifested.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Our Abilities Depend on the Lord

  1. 1

    The nose, odors, smelling and the controlling deity of air appeared together when the Lord desired to smell.

  2. 2

    The living entity cannot act independently. Even the freedom to think and the ability to put a thought into action depend on the Lord’s grace.

  3. 3

    The living entities are dependent, whereas the Supreme Lord is absolutely independent. Merely claiming equality with God does not establish that independence.

Key points from the purport
  • The nasal instrument, odor, and the controlling deity of air, smelling, etc., all became manifested simultaneously when the Lord desired to smell.
  • The living entity can see only when the Lord sees, the living entity can smell when the Lord smells, and so on.
  • The whole explanation is on the subject of the absolute dependence of the living entities and absolute independence of the Supreme Lord.

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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. nāsikein the nostrils
  2. nirabhidyetāmbeing developed
  3. dodhūyatirapidly blowing
  4. nabhasvatiair respiration
  5. tatrathereupon
  6. vāyuḥair
  7. gandha-vahaḥsmelling odor
  8. ghrāṇaḥsense of smell
  9. nasiin the nose
  10. jighṛkṣataḥdesiring to smell odors
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

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 2.10

    In this verse: “grace”

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 might remembering my dependence on the Lord change the way I make plans?

Practice

Before beginning one planned task, pause and acknowledge that carrying it out depends on the Lord’s grace.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayOur Abilities Depend on the LordThis 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 2.10.20? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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