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
2.10.332.10.35

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 2.10.34

Āśraya· The supreme shelter
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 2.10.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

अत: परं सूक्ष्मतममव्यक्तं निर्विशेषणम् ।

अनादिमध्यनिधनं नित्यं वाङ्‍मनस: परम् ॥ ३४ ॥

ataḥ paraṁ sūkṣmatamam

avyaktaṁ nirviśeṣaṇam

anādi-madhya-nidhanaṁ

nityaṁ vāṅ-manasaḥ param

Translation

Therefore beyond this [gross manifestation] is a transcendental manifestation finer than the finest form. It has no beginning, no intermediate stage and no end; therefore it is beyond the limits of expression or mental speculation and is distinct from the material conception.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Lord's Eternal Form Transcends Matter

  1. 1

    The Lord's gross external manifestation appears at intervals and is not His eternal form. His eternal form has no beginning, intermediate stage or end.

  2. 2

    The Absolute Truth is beyond all eight material coverings and beyond material expression or speculation. Even the finest material conception cannot reach Him.

  3. 3

    Nirviśeṣaṇam means that the Lord has no material qualities, not that He lacks transcendental qualities. Knowing His transcendental form requires being transcendentally situated.

Key points from the purport
  • The gross external body of the Supreme is manifested at certain intervals, and thus the external feature or form of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is not the eternal form of the Lord, which has no beginning, no intermediate stage and no end.
  • The material world is begun from the Lord, and thus the form of the Lord, before the beginning of the material world, is certainly transcendental to the finest, or the finer material conception.
  • The Absolute Truth is therefore beyond the expression and speculation of the material conception.

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. ataḥtherefore
  2. paramtranscendental
  3. sūkṣmatamamfiner than the finest
  4. avyaktamunmanifested
  5. nirviśeṣaṇamwithout material features
  6. anādiwithout beginning
  7. madhyawithout an intermediate stage
  8. nidhanamwithout end
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Āśraya · The summum bonum

    Who is the shelter of everything? · Subject 10 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 2.10

    In this verse: “material”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “absolute truth”

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

Do I confuse freedom from material qualities with having no qualities at all?

Practice

Read the translation again and note the distinction between “no material qualities” and “no qualities.”

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord's Eternal Form Transcends MatterThis 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 2.10.34? 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