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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
2.10.262.10.28

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 2.10.27

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

उत्सिसृक्षोर्धातुमलं निरभिद्यत वै गुदम् ।

तत: पायुस्ततो मित्र उत्सर्ग उभयाश्रय: ॥ २७ ॥

utsisṛkṣor dhātu-malaṁ

nirabhidyata vai gudam

tataḥ pāyus tato mitra

utsarga ubhayāśrayaḥ

Translation

Thereafter, when He desired to evacuate the refuse of eatables, the evacuating hole, anus, and the sensory organ thereof developed along with the controlling deity Mitra. The sensory organ and the evacuating substance are both under the shelter of the controlling deity.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Even Bodily Functions Are Not Independent

  1. 1

    When the Lord desired to evacuate the refuse of food, the anus and its sensory organ developed.

  2. 2

    Mitra appeared as the controlling deity. Both the evacuating organ and the evacuated substance are under his shelter.

  3. 3

    Even the removal of bodily waste is controlled. The purport therefore asks how the living entity can claim independence.

Key points from the purport
  • Even in the matter of evacuating stool, the refuse is controlled, so how can the living entity claim to be independent?

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. utsisṛkṣoḥdesiring to evacuate
  2. dhātu-malamrefuse of eatables
  3. nirabhidyatabecame open
  4. vaicertainly
  5. gudamthe evacuating hole
  6. tataḥthereafter
  7. pāyuḥthe evacuating sense organ
  8. tataḥthereafter
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

  • Śaraṇāgati · Wholehearted surrender

    Relinquishing ownership while entrusting oneself to the Lord. · Theme in SB 2.10

    In this verse: “shelter”

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

What does dependence in such a basic bodily function teach me about my claim to independence?

Practice

Take a brief moment today to acknowledge that even your body’s simplest functions are not under your independent control.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayEven Bodily Functions Are Not IndependentThis 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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