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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 4: The Process of Creation
2.4.3-42.4.6

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 2.4.5

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:King Parīkṣitsince 2.4.5inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

राजोवाच

समीचीनं वचो ब्रह्मन् सर्वज्ञस्य तवानघ ।

तमो विशीर्यते मह्यं हरे: कथयत: कथाम् ॥ ५ ॥

rājovāca

samīcīnaṁ vaco brahman

sarva-jñasya tavānagha

tamo viśīryate mahyaṁ

hareḥ kathayataḥ kathām

Translation

Mahārāja Parīkṣit said: O learned brāhmaṇa, you know everything because you are without material contamination. Therefore whatever you have spoken to me appears perfectly right. Your speeches are gradually destroying the darkness of my ignorance, for you are narrating the topics of the Lord.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Sincere Hearing Gradually Removes Ignorance

  1. 1

    Mahārāja Parīkṣit experienced the darkness of his ignorance gradually disappearing as he heard topics of the Lord. These messages act powerfully when received sincerely from a person free from material contamination.

  2. 2

    Devotional hearing is not the same as listening to ordinary topics. Hearing from professional reciters with a desire for material results does not produce the effect described here.

  3. 3

    The practical test of hearing Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is positive enlightenment. Just as a hungry person feels nourishment from eating, a sincere hearer experiences the gradual disappearance of ignorance.

Key points from the purport
  • The practical experience of Mahārāja Parīkṣit is disclosed herein, revealing that transcendental topics of the Lord act like injections when received by the sincere devotee from a person who is perfectly uncontaminated by material tinges.
  • Devotional hearing of the messages of the Lord is not like hearing ordinary topics; therefore the action will be felt by the sincere hearer by experience of the gradual disappearance of ignorance.
  • The crucial test of hearing Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is that one should get positive enlightenment by such an act.

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

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. rājā uvācathe King said
  2. samīcīnamperfectly right
  3. vacaḥspeeches
  4. brahmanO learned brāhmaṇa
  5. sarva-jñasyaone who knows all
  6. tavayour
  7. anaghawithout any contamination
  8. tamaḥthe darkness of ignorance
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

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 2.4

    In this verse: “hearing”, “heard”, “reciters”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 2.4

    In this verse: “material”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 2.4

    In this verse: “contamination”

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

What understanding of the Lord is becoming clearer through my sincere hearing?

Practice

Reread this translation and purport attentively, then write one sentence about what they clarify for you.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySincere Hearing Gradually Removes IgnoranceThis 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 2.4.5? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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