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 4: The Process of Creation
2.4.102.4.12

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 2.4.11

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Sūta Gosvāmīsince 2.4.11inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

सूत उवाच

इत्युपामन्त्रितो राज्ञा गुणानुकथने हरे: ।

हृषीकेशमनुस्मृत्य प्रतिवक्तुं प्रचक्रमे ॥ ११ ॥

sūta uvāca

ity upāmantrito rājñā

guṇānukathane hareḥ

hṛṣīkeśam anusmṛtya

prativaktuṁ pracakrame

Translation

Sūta Gosvāmī said: When Śukadeva Gosvāmī was thus requested by the King to describe the creative energy of the Personality of Godhead, he then systematically remembered the master of the senses [Śrī Kṛṣṇa], and to reply properly he spoke thus.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Remember Kṛṣṇa Before Speaking and Acting

  1. 1

    Before answering the King, Śukadeva Gosvāmī remembered Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the master of the senses. Devotees do not think they can describe the Lord independently.

  2. 2

    Our senses belong to the Supreme Lord and are properly used in His service. Both the instruments of action and their ingredients are gifts from Him.

  3. 3

    Memory and knowledge come from the Lord, who directs our abilities. A devotee therefore seeks His permission and blessing before acting, eating or speaking.

Key points from the purport
  • They think that they can speak only what they are induced to speak by the Supreme Lord, the master of the senses.
  • The senses of the individual being are not his own; the devotee knows that such senses belong to the Supreme Lord and that they can be properly used when they are employed for the service of the Lord.
  • The senses are instruments, and elements are ingredients, all endowed by the Lord; therefore whatever an individual can do, speak, see, etc., is under the direction of the Lord only.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 1

The purport of SB 2.4.11 quotesBG 15.15

The Bhagavad-gītā (15.15) confirms this: sarvasya cāhaṁ hṛdi sanniviṣṭo mattaḥ smṛtir jñānam apohanaṁ ca.

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

How it feels

Uncertainty → Awe. The scale of reality widens dramatically.

Chapters 4–7 of Canto 2: The creation, cosmic Person and incarnations. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 4: The Process of Creation

Parīkṣit fixes his mind on Kṛṣṇa and asks about creation; Śukadeva offers prayers before answering.

Back to this verse in chapter 2.4
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. sūtaḥ uvācaSūta Gosvāmī said
  2. itithus
  3. upāmantritaḥbeing requested
  4. rājñāby the King
  5. guṇa-anukathanein describing the transcendental attributes of the Lord
  6. hareḥof the Personality of Godhead
  7. hṛṣīkeśamthe master of the senses
  8. anusmṛtyaproperly remembering
  9. prativaktumjust to reply
  10. pracakrameexecuted the preliminaries
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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 2.4

    In this verse: “king”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 2.4

    In this verse: “devotees”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 2.4

    In this verse: “blessing”

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 might your speech change if you remembered that your senses belong to Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Before your next conversation, pause to remember Śrī Kṛṣṇa and ask for His blessing to use your speech in His service.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRemember Kṛṣṇa Before Speaking and ActingThis 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 2.4.11? 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