1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 2 · The Cosmic Manifestation · 10 chapters

12345678910

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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
2.6.362.6.38

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 2.6.37

Āśraya· The supreme shelter
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

नाहं न यूयं यद‍ृतां गतिं विदु-

र्न वामदेव: किमुतापरे सुरा: ।

तन्मायया मोहितबुद्धयस्त्विदं

विनिर्मितं चात्मसमं विचक्ष्महे ॥ ३७ ॥

nāhaṁ na yūyaṁ yad-ṛtāṁ gatiṁ vidur

na vāmadevaḥ kim utāpare surāḥ

tan-māyayā mohita-buddhayas tv idaṁ

vinirmitaṁ cātma-samaṁ vicakṣmahe

Translation

Since neither Lord Śiva nor you nor I could ascertain the limits of spiritual happiness, how can other demigods know it? And because all of us are bewildered by the illusory, external energy of the Supreme Lord, we can see only this manifested cosmos according to our individual ability.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Learn About Kṛṣṇa From Recognized Authorities

  1. 1

    Even Brahmā, Nārada and Lord Śiva cannot fully know the potencies of Śrī Kṛṣṇa. Each living being observes the manifested cosmos according to individual ability.

  2. 2

    The three modes of material nature—goodness, passion and ignorance—bewilder living beings. Under their influence, one fails to understand that beyond the material manifestations is Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Person and controller of everything.

  3. 3

    Brahmā, Nārada and Lord Śiva know the Lord to a considerable extent, so we should follow their instructions. The Vedas, presented by recognized authorities, inform us about the Absolute Truth.

Key points from the purport
  • Other demigods, semi-demigods, Gandharvas, Cāraṇas, Vidyādharas, human beings or asuras cannot possibly know fully about the potencies of the Absolute Lord, Śrī Kṛṣṇa.
  • The other three fourths of His energy are displayed in the spiritual world, and so what can the tiny scientist with a tiny brain know of the Absolute Personality of Godhead, Lord Kṛṣṇa?
  • The Lord says, therefore, mohitaṁ nābhijānāti mām ebhyaḥ param avyayam: bewildered by such modes of material nature, they cannot understand that beyond these manifestations is a Supreme Person who is the absolute controller of everything.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 1

The purport of SB 2.6.37 quotesBG 7.13

Such bewilderment is mentioned in the Bhagavad-gītā (7.13).

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. naneither
  2. ahamI
  3. nanor
  4. yūyamall you sons
  5. yatwhose
  6. ṛtāmfactual
  7. gatimmovements
  8. viduḥdo know
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Āśraya · The summum bonum

    Who is the shelter of everything? · Subject 10 of 10

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 2.6

    In this verse: “absolute truth”, “understand”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

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

How willing am I to learn from recognized spiritual authorities rather than rely only on my own estimates?

Practice

Reread this verse’s translation and purport, and write down one teaching to accept with humility.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayLearn About Kṛṣṇa From Recognized AuthoritiesThis 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 2.6.37? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories