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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
2.10.312.10.33

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 2.10.32

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

गुणात्मकानीन्द्रियाणि भूतादिप्रभवा गुणा: ।

मन: सर्वविकारात्मा बुद्धिर्विज्ञानरूपिणी ॥ ३२ ॥

guṇātmakānīndriyāṇi

bhūtādi-prabhavā guṇāḥ

manaḥ sarva-vikārātmā

buddhir vijñāna-rūpiṇī

Translation

The sense organs are attached to the modes of material nature, and the modes of material nature are products of the false ego. The mind is subjected to all kinds of material experiences (happiness and distress), and the intelligence is the feature of the mind’s deliberation.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Use Intelligence to Seek Self-Realization

  1. 1

    False ego makes the living entity identify with the body and bodily relationships, forgetting his identity as spirit soul. Through the modes of material nature, the senses become attached to matter.

  2. 2

    The mind feels material happiness and distress, while intelligence deliberates. Properly used, intelligence can help one inquire about identity, suffering and freedom from illusion.

  3. 3

    Association with great sages and saints brings instructions that loosen attachment to matter. Through such association, one progresses toward the real life of eternity, knowledge and bliss.

Key points from the purport
  • Illusioned by the material nature, the living entity identifies with false ego.
  • This false ego associates with different modes of material nature, and thus the senses become attached to the modes of material nature.
  • The intelligent person, therefore, can attain salvation from the illusion of material existence by proper use of intelligence.

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. guṇa-ātmakāniattached to the qualities
  2. indriyāṇithe senses
  3. bhūta-ādimaterial ego
  4. prabhavāḥinfluenced by
  5. guṇāḥthe modes of material nature
  6. manaḥthe mind
  7. sarvaall
  8. vikāraaffection (happiness and distress)
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: “attached”, “material”, “illusion”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “knowledge”, “inquire”, “spirit soul”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 2.10

    In this verse: “distress”, “suffering”

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

Am I using my intelligence only to manage material experiences, or also to inquire about my true identity?

Practice

Write down one sincere question about your identity as spirit soul to discuss with someone following the path of self-realization.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayUse Intelligence to Seek Self-RealizationThis 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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