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
2.10.252.10.27

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 2.10.26

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

निरभिद्यत शिश्नो वै प्रजानन्दामृतार्थिन: ।

उपस्थ आसीत् कामानां प्रियं तदुभयाश्रयम् ॥ २६ ॥

nirabhidyata śiśno vai

prajānandāmṛtārthinaḥ

upastha āsīt kāmānāṁ

priyaṁ tad-ubhayāśrayam

Translation

Thereupon, for sexual pleasure, begetting offspring and tasting heavenly nectar, the Lord developed the genitals, and thus there is the genital organ and its controlling deity, the Prajāpati. The object of sexual pleasure and the controlling deity are under the control of the genitals of the Lord.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Family Life Can Serve the Lord

  1. 1

    The genitals, sexual pleasure and their controlling deity, the Prajāpati, depend on the Lord. The purport explains that this dependence shows that the Lord is not impersonal.

  2. 2

    Material creation gives conditioned souls an opportunity to revive dormant God consciousness and return to Godhead. Begetting children becomes service when they are properly trained in God consciousness.

  3. 3

    Human life is distinguished by the capacity for God consciousness, not merely sexual pleasure. Sexual life and offspring should therefore remain connected with service to the Supreme Lord.

Key points from the purport
  • The heavenly pleasure for the conditioned soul is sexual pleasure, and this pleasure is tasted by the genitals.
  • The woman is the object of sexual pleasure, and both the sense perception of sexual pleasure and the woman are controlled by the Prajāpati, who is under the control of the Lord’s genitals.
  • In forms of life other than the human form, sexual pleasure is prominent without any motive of service for the mission of the 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
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. nirabhidyatacame out
  2. śiśnaḥthe genitals
  3. vaicertainly
  4. prajā-ānandasex pleasure
  5. amṛta-arthinaḥaspiring to taste the nectar
  6. upasthaḥthe male or female organ
  7. āsītcame into existence
  8. kāmānāmof the lustful
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”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 2.10

    In this verse: “children”

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 the aim of reviving God consciousness shape my understanding of family responsibility?

Practice

Write one sentence describing how family responsibilities can support God consciousness rather than pleasure alone.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayFamily Life Can Serve 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 2.10.26? 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