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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
2.5.40-412.6.1

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 2.5.42

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: ।

स्वर्लोक: कल्पितो मूर्ध्ना इति वा लोककल्पना ॥ ४२ ॥

bhūrlokaḥ kalpitaḥ padbhyāṁ

bhuvarloko ’sya nābhitaḥ

svarlokaḥ kalpito mūrdhnā

iti vā loka-kalpanā

Translation

Others may divide the whole planetary system into three divisions, namely the lower planetary systems on the legs [up to the earth], the middle planetary systems on the navel, and the upper planetary systems [Svarloka] from the chest to the head of the Supreme Personality.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Three Divisions Within the Universal Form

  1. 1

    The planetary systems may be described in three divisions. The purport explains that describing fourteen divisions is another way of presenting them.

  2. 2

    The lower planetary systems, up to the earth, are situated on the Lord’s legs. The middle planetary systems are situated on His navel.

  3. 3

    The upper planetary systems, called Svarloka, extend from His chest to His head. All three divisions are described in relation to the Supreme Personality.

Key points from the purport
  • The three divisions of the complete planetary systems are here mentioned; fourteen are imagined by others, and that is also explained.
  • Thus end the Bhaktivedanta purports of the Second Canto, Fifth Chapter, of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, entitled “The Cause of All Causes.”

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. bhūrlokaḥthe entire planetary system from Pātāla to the earthly planetary system
  2. kalpitaḥimagined
  3. padbhyāmsituated on the legs
  4. bhuvarlokaḥthe Bhuvarloka planetary system
  5. asyaof the universal form of the Lord
  6. nābhitaḥout of the navel abdomen
  7. svarlokaḥthe higher planetary system, beginning with the heavenly planets
  8. kalpitaḥimagined
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

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does this description help you think of the universe in relation to the Supreme Lord?

Practice

Write down the three divisions and their corresponding places on the Lord’s universal form.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThree Divisions Within the Universal FormThis 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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