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
2.10.49-503.1.1

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 2.10.51

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Sūta Gosvāmīsince 2.10.51inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

सूत उवाच

राज्ञा परीक्षिता पृष्टो यदवोचन्महामुनि: ।

तद्वोऽभिधास्ये श‍ृणुत राज्ञ: प्रश्नानुसारत: ॥ ५१ ॥

यच्च व्रजन्त्यनिमिषामृषभानुवृत्त्या

दूरेयमा ह्युपरि न: स्पृहणीयशीला: ।

भर्तुर्मिथ: सुयशस: कथनानुराग-

वैक्लव्यबाष्पकलया पुलकीकृताङ्गा: ॥

sūta uvāca

rājñā parīkṣitā pṛṣṭo

yad avocan mahā-muniḥ

tad vo ’bhidhāsye śṛṇuta

rājñaḥ praśnānusārataḥ

Translation

Śrī Sūta Gosvāmī explained: I shall now explain to you the very subjects explained by the great sage in answer to King Parīkṣit’s inquiries. Please hear them attentively.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Hear Authority and Obey the Supreme Lord

  1. 1

    Sūta Gosvāmī promises to explain the subjects already spoken by the great sage in answer to King Parīkṣit. He asks his listeners to hear attentively.

  2. 2

    Questions are answered by referring to established authority. This is the paramparā system, followed by learned authorities without inventing interpretations.

  3. 3

    Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Lord and the cause of all causes. The purport calls us to obey Him, recognizing that His hand is in everything without exception.

Key points from the purport
  • Any question that is put forward may be answered by quoting the authority, and that satisfies the saner section.
  • The best lawyer gives evidence from the past judgment of the court without taking much trouble to establish his case.
  • Thus end the Bhaktivedanta purports of the Second Canto, Tenth Chapter, of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, entitled “Bhāgavatam Is the Answer to All Questions.”

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. sūtaḥ uvācaŚrī Sūta Gosvāmī replied
  2. rājñāby the King
  3. parīkṣitāby Parīkṣit
  4. pṛṣṭaḥas asked
  5. yatwhat
  6. avocatspoke
  7. mahā-muniḥthe great sage
  8. tatthat very thing
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Īśānukathā · The science of God

    Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 of 10

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “inquiries”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 2.10

    In this verse: “king”

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 can attentive hearing lead you toward obedient service to Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Read this translation and purport slowly, without distractions, with the intention of understanding and obeying the Supreme Lord.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHear Authority and Obey 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 2.10.51? 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