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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 5: The Cause of All Causes
2.5.362.5.38

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 2.5.37

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
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

पुरुषस्य मुखं ब्रह्म क्षत्रमेतस्य बाहव: ।

ऊर्वोर्वैश्यो भगवत: पद्‍भ्यां शूद्रो व्यजायत ॥ ३७ ॥

puruṣasya mukhaṁ brahma

kṣatram etasya bāhavaḥ

ūrvor vaiśyo bhagavataḥ

padbhyāṁ śūdro vyajāyata

Translation

The brāhmaṇas represent His mouth, the kṣatriyas His arms, the vaiśyas His thighs, and the śūdras are born of His legs.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Every Part Is Meant to Serve

  1. 1

    All living beings are parts and parcels of the Supreme Lord. The four divisions of human society are compared to different parts of His body, all meant to serve the complete whole.

  2. 2

    The brāhmaṇas teach knowledge of the Lord, the kṣatriyas protect living beings, and the vaiśyas produce and distribute food and protect cows. The śūdras contribute physical service, benefiting through cooperation.

  3. 3

    The end of all knowledge is to know the Lord, understand our relationship with Him, and act according to that relationship. Human life is especially meant for this purpose.

Key points from the purport
  • The four divisions of human society, namely the intelligent class (the brāhmaṇas), the administrative class (the kṣatriyas), the mercantile class (the vaiśyas), and the laborer class (the śūdras), are all in different parts of the body of the Lord.
  • The parts of the body are related to the body; similarly, the living being must know his relationship with the Lord.
  • The intelligent class of men, the brāhmaṇas, are therefore especially responsible for broadcasting this knowledge of our relationship with the Lord and leading the general mass of people to the right path.

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. puruṣasyaof the Supreme Personality of Godhead
  2. mukhammouth
  3. brahmais the brāhmaṇas
  4. kṣatramthe royal order
  5. etasyaof Him
  6. bāhavaḥthe arms
  7. ūrvoḥthe thighs
  8. vaiśyaḥare the mercantile men
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Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “knowledge”, “understand”

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 2.5

    In this verse: “protect”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can your abilities help you serve the Lord and cooperate with others?

Practice

Choose one helpful task today and do it with the intention of serving the Lord.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayEvery Part Is Meant to ServeThis 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 2.5.37? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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