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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
2.5.82.5.10

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 2.5.9

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
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

ब्रह्मोवाच

सम्यक् कारुणिकस्येदं वत्स ते विचिकित्सितम् ।

यदहं चोदित: सौम्य भगवद्वीर्यदर्शने ॥ ९ ॥

brahmovāca

samyak kāruṇikasyedaṁ

vatsa te vicikitsitam

yad ahaṁ coditaḥ saumya

bhagavad-vīrya-darśane

Translation

Lord Brahmā said: My dear boy Nārada, being merciful to all (including me) you have asked all these questions because I have been inspired to see into the prowess of the Almighty Personality of Godhead.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Questions About the Lord Enliven Devotees

  1. 1

    Brahmājī praised Nārada's questions as merciful to everyone, including himself. They inspired him to consider the power of the Almighty Personality of Godhead.

  2. 2

    Pure devotees become enthusiastic when asked about the Lord. Such discussions purify the atmosphere and benefit both the questioner and the person answering.

  3. 3

    Devotees are not satisfied merely to know about the Lord themselves. They eagerly share His glories so that everyone may know them.

Key points from the purport
  • Brahmājī, being so questioned by Nāradajī, congratulated him, for it is usual for the devotees to become very enthusiastic whenever they are questioned concerning the Almighty Personality of Godhead.
  • Such discourses on the transcendental activities of the Lord purify the atmosphere in which such discussions are held, and the devotees thus become enlivened while answering such questions.
  • Thus the devotee feels satisfied when such an opportunity is offered to him.

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. brahmā uvācaLord Brahmā said
  2. samyakperfectly
  3. kāruṇikasyaof you, who are very kind
  4. idamthis
  5. vatsamy dear boy
  6. teyour
  7. vicikitsitaminquisitiveness
  8. yatby which
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

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 2.5

    In this verse: “merciful”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 2.5

    In this verse: “devotees”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 2.5

    In this verse: “purify”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can my questions encourage a discussion that glorifies the Lord?

Practice

Share one teaching about the Lord from today's reading with someone willing to hear it.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayQuestions About the Lord Enliven DevoteesThis 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 2.5.9? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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