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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
2.6.72.6.9

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 2.6.8

Sarga· Creation
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

अपां वीर्यस्य सर्गस्य पर्जन्यस्य प्रजापते: ।

पुंस: शिश्न उपस्थस्तु प्रजात्यानन्दनिर्वृते: ॥ ८ ॥

apāṁ vīryasya sargasya

parjanyasya prajāpateḥ

puṁsaḥ śiśna upasthas tu

prajāty-ānanda-nirvṛteḥ

Translation

From the Lord’s genitals originate water, semen, generatives, rains and the procreators. His genitals are the cause of a pleasure that counteracts the distress of begetting.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Family Life Requires Spiritual Responsibility

  1. 1

    Water, semen, generative powers, rains and procreators originate from the Lord’s genitals. The pleasure of begetting counteracts the distress of family burdens.

  2. 2

    This pleasure is not false, because it originates in the Lord’s transcendental body. Through material contamination, however, it takes on a perverted aspect and becomes connected with many distresses.

  3. 3

    Sex life should not be encouraged beyond necessity. Generating children and planning family life must be guided by full responsibility for spiritual values, rather than merely seeking material sense pleasure.

Key points from the purport
  • The genitals and the pleasure of begetting counteract the distresses of family encumbrances.
  • Therefore, the sex life in the material world should not be encouraged beyond the necessity.
  • And without knowledge of spiritual values, the less intelligent man tries to utilize only the material sense pleasure of the genitals.

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
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. apāmof water
  2. vīryasyaof the semen
  3. sargasyaof the generative
  4. parjanyasyaof rains
  5. prajāpateḥof the creator
  6. puṁsaḥof the Lord
  7. śiśnaḥthe genitals
  8. upasthaḥ tuthe place where the genitals are situated
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Sarga · The creation of the universe

    Where does the universe come from? · Subject 1 of 10

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 2.6

    In this verse: “distress”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 2.6

    In this verse: “children”

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 can spiritual values guide your understanding of pleasure and family responsibility?

Practice

Write down one spiritual value you want to guide your decisions about family life.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayFamily Life Requires Spiritual ResponsibilityThis 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 2.6.8? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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