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 5: The Cause of All Causes
2.5.242.5.26-29

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 2.5.25

Sarga· Creation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Brahmāsince 2.5.9inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Brahmā → Nārada Muni

तामसादपि भूतादेर्विकुर्वाणादभून्नभ: ।

तस्य मात्रा गुण: शब्दो लिङ्गं यद् द्रष्टृद‍ृश्ययो: ॥ २५ ॥

tāmasād api bhūtāder

vikurvāṇād abhūn nabhaḥ

tasya mātrā guṇaḥ śabdo

liṅgaṁ yad draṣṭṛ-dṛśyayoḥ

Translation

From the darkness of false ego, the first of the five elements, namely the sky, is generated. Its subtle form is the quality of sound, exactly as the seer is in relationship with the seen.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Holy Name Gives the Lord’s Association

  1. 1

    The material elements arise from the darkness of false ego—the living entity’s desire to lord it over creation and become the enjoyer. In truth, only the Supreme Lord can be called the enjoyer.

  2. 2

    Sound is the subtle characteristic of sky. Unlike ordinary descriptions, the Lord’s sound representation is nondifferent from Him, because the Lord and His representation in sound are absolute knowledge.

  3. 3

    All the Lord’s potencies are invested in His holy name, so pure chanting gives His immediate association. A devotee who constantly associates with the Supreme Lord through His name is delivered from the darkness of false ego.

Key points from the purport
  • Similarly, sound representation of the Lord, in terms of His characteristics, is the complete form of the Lord, as was seen by Vasudeva and Mahārāja Daśaratha, the fathers of Lord Kṛṣṇa and Lord Rāma.
  • Lord Caitanya has instructed us that in the holy name of the Lord, as sound representation of the Lord, all the potencies of the Lord are invested.
  • Thus one can immediately enjoy the association of the Lord by the pure vibration of the sound representation of His holy name, and the concept of the Lord is immediately manifested before the pure devotee.

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 5: The Cause of All Causes

Nārada questions Brahmā, who explains his dependence on the Supreme Lord and describes creation.

Back to this verse in chapter 2.5
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tāmasātfrom the darkness of false ego
  2. apicertainly
  3. bhūta-ādeḥof the material elements
  4. vikurvāṇātbecause of transformation
  5. abhūtgenerated
  6. nabhaḥthe sky
  7. tasyaits
  8. mātrāsubtle form
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

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 2.5

    In this verse: “chanting”, “holy name”

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 2.5

    In this verse: “false ego”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 2.5

    In this verse: “devotee”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How might my chanting change if I remembered that the Lord’s holy name is nondifferent from Him?

Practice

Chant attentively today: Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 2.5's connections

Live this todayThe Holy Name Gives the Lord’s AssociationThis 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 2.5.25? 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