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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
2.5.72.5.9

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 2.5.8

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Nārada Munisince 2.5.1inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Brahmā → Nārada Muni

एतन्मे पृच्छत: सर्वं सर्वज्ञ सकलेश्वर ।

विजानीहि यथैवेदमहं बुध्येऽनुशासित: ॥ ८ ॥

etan me pṛcchataḥ sarvaṁ

sarva-jña sakaleśvara

vijānīhi yathaivedam

ahaṁ budhye ’nuśāsitaḥ

Translation

My dear father, you know everything, and you are the controller of all. Therefore, may all that I have inquired from you be kindly instructed to me so that I may be able to understand it as your student.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Ask for Understanding That Benefits Others

  1. 1

    Nārada asks Brahmājī to explain all his inquiries so that he can understand as a student. His request expresses a willingness to receive instruction.

  2. 2

    These questions are important not only for Nārada but for everyone concerned with their subjects. Clear instruction can benefit many learners.

  3. 3

    Nārada wanted those coming in the disciplic succession of the Brahma sampradāya to understand properly without difficulty. His inquiry serves future students as well.

Key points from the purport
  • The inquiries made by Nārada Muni are very important for everyone concerned, and as such, Nārada requested Brahmājī to deem them suitable so that all others who may come in the line of disciplic succession of the Brahma sampradāya may also know them properly without any difficulty.

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. etatall those
  2. meunto me
  3. pṛcchataḥinquisitive
  4. sarvamall that is inquired
  5. sarva-jñaone who knows everything
  6. sakalaover all
  7. īśvarathe controller
  8. vijānīhikindly explain
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Īśānukathā · The science of God

    Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 of 10

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “inquired”, “understand”, “inquiries”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 2.5

    In this verse: “kindly”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 2.5

    In this verse: “father”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How could asking for clarification help both me and other students?

Practice

Write one respectful request for clarification about something in today's reading that you do not yet understand.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayAsk for Understanding That Benefits OthersThis 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 2.5.8? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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