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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 6: Puruṣa-sūkta Confirmed
2.6.252.6.27

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 2.6.26

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Brahmāsince 2.6.1inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Brahmā → Nārada Muni

नामधेयानि मन्त्राश्च दक्षिणाश्च व्रतानि च ।

देवतानुक्रम: कल्प: सङ्कल्पस्तन्त्रमेव च ॥ २६ ॥

nāma-dheyāni mantrāś ca

dakṣiṇāś ca vratāni ca

devatānukramaḥ kalpaḥ

saṅkalpas tantram eva ca

Translation

Other necessities include invoking the different names of the demigods by specific hymns and vows of recompense, in accordance with the particular scripture, for specific purposes and by specific processes.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Holy Name Serves Life’s Spiritual Aim

  1. 1

    Fruitive sacrifices depend on specific hymns, purposes and processes, especially sounds spoken with a particular accent. Without qualified brāhmaṇas, such performances are no longer effective or recommended in this age.

  2. 2

    Material science can increase artificial needs without solving life’s real problems. The ultimate aim of human life is spiritual realization.

  3. 3

    Lord Caitanya recommends directly invoking the holy name of the Lord. This simple process is suitable even within the complicated social conditions of modern life.

Key points from the purport
  • The whole process of offering sacrifice is under the category of fruitive action, and such activities are extremely scientific.
  • Fruitive action is being carried on by the help of material science and to a little extent by gross material help, but the materialists await a still more subtle advancement in the process of vibrating sounds on which the Vedic hymns are established.
  • Gross material science cannot divert the real purpose of human life.

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 6: Puruṣa-sūkta Confirmed

Brahmā describes the universal form, his sacrifice, and the Lord’s control over creation, maintenance, and destruction.

Back to this verse in chapter 2.6
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. nāma-dheyāniinvoking the names of the demigods
  2. mantrāḥspecific hymns to offer to a particular demigod
  3. caalso
  4. dakṣiṇāḥreward
  5. caand
  6. vratānivows
  7. caand
  8. devatā-anukramaḥone demigod after another
3

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

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 2.6

    In this verse: “material”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 2.6

    In this verse: “holy name”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Am I giving more attention to artificial needs or to spiritual realization?

Practice

Pause one unnecessary pursuit today and spend that time invoking the Lord’s holy name.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Holy Name Serves Life’s Spiritual AimThis 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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