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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
2.10.202.10.22

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 2.10.21

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

यदात्मनि निरालोकमात्मानं च दिद‍ृक्षत: ।

निर्भिन्ने ह्यक्षिणी तस्य ज्योतिश्चक्षुर्गुणग्रह: ॥ २१ ॥

yadātmani nirālokam

ātmānaṁ ca didṛkṣataḥ

nirbhinne hy akṣiṇī tasya

jyotiś cakṣur guṇa-grahaḥ

Translation

Thus when everything existed in darkness, the Lord desired to see Himself and all that was created. Then the eyes, the illuminating god Sun, the power of vision and the object of sight all became manifested.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Sight Is the Lord’s Mercy

  1. 1

    The universe is naturally dense darkness, called tamas. Without light, one cannot see even oneself.

  2. 2

    Out of His causeless mercy, the Lord desired to see Himself and His creation. The eyes, the Sun, the power of vision and the objects of sight then appeared.

  3. 3

    The whole visible world became manifest to sight after the creation of the sun. Our ability to see rests on this merciful arrangement.

Key points from the purport
  • The universe is by nature dense darkness, and therefore the total creation is called tamas, or darkness.
  • The Lord, out of His causeless mercy, first desired to see Himself and all the creation as well, and thus the sun became manifested, the power of vision for all living entities became possible, and the objects of vision were also manifested.
  • This means that the whole phenomenal world became visible after the creation of the sun.

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. yadāwhile
  2. ātmaniunto Himself
  3. nirālokamwithout any light
  4. ātmānamHis own transcendental body
  5. caalso other bodily forms
  6. didṛkṣataḥdesired to look upon
  7. nirbhinnedue to being sprouted
  8. hifor
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: “mercy”, “merciful”, “causeless”

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

Do I notice the Lord’s mercy in the simple ability to see?

Practice

Look at one ordinary object in daylight and take a moment to appreciate the Lord’s merciful provision of light and sight.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySight Is the Lord’s MercyThis 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 2.10.21? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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