1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 2 · The Cosmic Manifestation · 10 chapters

12345678910

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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
2.10.212.10.23

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 2.10.22

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

बोध्यमानस्य ऋषिभिरात्मनस्तज्जिघृक्षत: ।

कर्णौ च निरभिद्येतां दिश: श्रोत्रं गुणग्रह: ॥ २२ ॥

bodhyamānasya ṛṣibhir

ātmanas taj jighṛkṣataḥ

karṇau ca nirabhidyetāṁ

diśaḥ śrotraṁ guṇa-grahaḥ

Translation

By development of the desire of the great sages to know, the ears, the power of hearing, the controlling deity of hearing, and the objects of hearing became manifested. The great sages desired to hear about the Self.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Use Hearing to Know the Lord

  1. 1

    The great sages desired to hear about the Self. The ears, hearing power, its controlling deity and the objects of hearing became manifested.

  2. 2

    Advancement of knowledge should lead to knowledge of the Supreme Lord. Knowledge is not limited to physical laws, which work under His direction.

  3. 3

    The Lord gave the power and instruments of hearing for hearing about the Self, or the Lord. The great sages used hearing for Vedic knowledge rather than merely mundane affairs.

Key points from the purport
  • As stated in the Bhagavad-gītā, by advancement of knowledge one should try to know about the Supreme Lord, the summum bonum of everything.
  • They are eager to hear through the medium of radio and television about things taking place far away from them on other planets, but they should know that the power of hearing and the instruments for hearing were given to them by the Lord for hearing about the Self, or about the Lord.
  • The great sages were interested in hearing about the Lord through Vedic knowledge and nothing more.

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. bodhyamānasyadesiring to understand
  2. ṛṣibhiḥby the authorities
  3. ātmanaḥof the Supreme Being
  4. tatthat
  5. jighṛkṣataḥwhen He desired to take up
  6. karṇauthe ears
  7. caalso
  8. nirabhidyetāmbecame manifested
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

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 2.10

    In this verse: “hearing”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 2.10

    In this verse: “knowledge”

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 much of my listening helps me know the Supreme Lord?

Practice

Spend five minutes reading this purport aloud and attentively hearing its teaching about the Lord.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayUse Hearing to Know 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 2.10.22? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories