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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

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
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

2.5.37 2.5.39

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 2.5.38

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

भूर्लोक: कल्पित: पद्‍भ्यां भुवर्लोकोऽस्य नाभित: ।

हृदा स्वर्लोक उरसा महर्लोको महात्मन: ॥ ३८ ॥

bhūrlokaḥ kalpitaḥ padbhyāṁ

bhuvarloko ’sya nābhitaḥ

hṛdā svarloka urasā

maharloko mahātmanaḥ

Translation

The lower planetary systems, up to the limit of the earthly stratum, are said to be situated in His legs. The middle planetary systems, beginning from Bhuvarloka, are situated in His navel. And the still higher planetary systems, occupied by the demigods and highly cultured sages and saints, are situated in the chest of the Supreme Lord.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Everyone Has a Relationship with the Lord

1
The purport describes fourteen spheres of planetary systems within this universe. All are situated on the body of the Lord.
2
The lower systems are associated with His legs, the middle systems beginning from Bhuvarloka with His navel, and the higher systems with His chest.
3
No one within this universe is without a relationship with the Lord. This description connects every living being with Him.

Key points from the purport

There are fourteen spheres of planetary systems within this universe.
The lower systems are called Bhūrloka, the middle systems are called Bhuvarloka, and the higher planetary systems, up to Brahmaloka, the highest planetary system of the universe, are called Svarloka.
In other words, no one within this universe is without a relationship with the Lord.

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

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

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

bhūḥthe lower planetary systems up to the stratum of the earth
lokaḥthe planets
kalpitaḥit is so imagined or said
padbhyāmout of the legs
bhuvaḥthe upper
lokaḥthe planetary system
asyaof Him (the Lord)
nābhitaḥfrom the navel abdomen

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

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How might remembering everyone's relationship with the Lord change how you see others?

Practice

When meeting someone today, pause to remember that this person also has a relationship with the Lord.

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayEveryone Has a Relationship with the LordThis 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 2.5.38? Get an answer from the verses themselves.

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