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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.
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Canto 2 · Chapter 5: The Cause of All Causes
2.5.352.5.37

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 2.5.36

Sthāna· The universe in order
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

यस्येहावयवैर्लोकान् कल्पयन्ति मनीषिण: ।

कट्यादिभिरध: सप्त सप्तोर्ध्वं जघनादिभि: ॥ ३६ ॥

yasyehāvayavair lokān

kalpayanti manīṣiṇaḥ

kaṭya-ādibhir adhaḥ sapta

saptordhvaṁ jaghanādibhiḥ

Translation

Great philosophers imagine that the complete planetary systems in the universe are displays of the different upper and lower limbs of the universal body of the Lord.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Nothing in Creation Is Beyond His Control

  1. 1

    Great philosophers imagine the planetary systems as limbs of the Lord's universal body. The seven upper systems are placed above His waist and the lower systems below it.

  2. 2

    The purport calls this universal conception more or less imaginary, though it is one feature of the Lord. It is contemplated by speculative philosophers unable to accept the eternal two-handed form of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa.

  3. 3

    The central teaching is that the Supreme Lord is conscious of every part of His body. Nothing anywhere in creation lies beyond His control.

Key points from the purport
  • The virāṭ universal form of the Absolute is an imagination of the speculative philosophers who are unable to adjust to the eternal two-handed form of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa.
  • Although the universal form, as imagined by the great philosophers, is one of the features of the Lord, it is more or less imaginary.
  • It is said that the seven upper planetary systems are situated above the waist of the universal form, whereas the lower planetary systems are situated below His waist.

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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yasyawhose
  2. ihain the universe
  3. avayavaiḥby the limbs of the body
  4. lokānall the planets
  5. kalpayantiimagine
  6. manīṣiṇaḥgreat philosophers
  7. kaṭi-ādibhiḥdown from the waist
  8. adhaḥdownwards
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Sthāna · Planetary systems

    How is the universe arranged, and what is our right place in it? · Subject 3 of 10

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 2.5

    In this verse: “philosophers”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How might remembering that nothing is beyond the Lord's control change my response to uncertainty?

Practice

When one uncertainty arises today, pause and remember that it is not outside the Supreme Lord's awareness or control.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayNothing in Creation Is Beyond His ControlThis 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.

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