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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
2.10.22.10.4

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 2.10.3

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

भूतमात्रेन्द्रियधियां जन्म सर्ग उदाहृत: ।

ब्रह्मणो गुणवैषम्याद्विसर्ग: पौरुष: स्मृत: ॥ ३ ॥

bhūta-mātrendriya-dhiyāṁ

janma sarga udāhṛtaḥ

brahmaṇo guṇa-vaiṣamyād

visargaḥ pauruṣaḥ smṛtaḥ

Translation

The elementary creation of sixteen items of matter — namely the five elements [fire, water, land, air and sky], sound, form, taste, smell, touch, and the eyes, ears, nose, tongue, skin and mind — is known as sarga, whereas subsequent resultant interaction of the modes of material nature is called visarga.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Creation Begins with the Supreme Lord

  1. 1

    The elementary creation of sixteen material items is called sarga. Their subsequent interaction through the modes of material nature is called visarga.

  2. 2

    Mahā-Viṣṇu is the first puruṣa incarnation of Govinda, Lord Kṛṣṇa. Innumerable universes exist in potency in the hair holes of His transcendental body during His mystic sleep.

  3. 3

    The Vedic conclusion is that the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the origin of all energies, rather than inert material nature. Original creation comes directly from Him, while Brahmā makes the secondary creation from the original ingredients.

Key points from the purport
  • Without such a Vedic reference, the creation appears to be a product of material nature.
  • From Vedic reference it is concluded that the origin of all energies (namely internal, external and marginal) is the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
  • Thus the original creation is directly from the Supreme Personality of Godhead, or Parambrahman, and the secondary creation, as a reactionary result of the original ingredients, is made by Brahmā.

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. bhūtathe five gross elements (the sky, etc.)
  2. mātrāobjects perceived by the senses
  3. indriyathe senses
  4. dhiyāmof the mind
  5. janmacreation
  6. sargaḥmanifestation
  7. udāhṛtaḥis called the creation
  8. brahmaṇaḥof Brahmā, the first puruṣa
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”

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 recognizing the Lord as the source of all energies change your view of nature?

Practice

Look at water or earth today and take a moment to remember the Supreme Lord as the source of its energy.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayCreation Begins with the Supreme 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 2.10.3? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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