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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 7: Scheduled Incarnations with Specific Functions
2.7.162.7.18

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 2.7.17

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Brahmāsince 2.7.1inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Brahmā → Nārada Muni

ज्यायान् गुणैरवरजोऽप्यदिते: सुतानां

लोकान् विचक्रम इमान् यदथाधियज्ञ: ।

क्ष्मां वामनेन जगृहे त्रिपदच्छलेन

याच्ञामृते पथि चरन् प्रभुभिर्न चाल्य: ॥ १७ ॥

jyāyān guṇair avarajo ’py aditeḥ sutānāṁ

lokān vicakrama imān yad athādhiyajñaḥ

kṣmāṁ vāmanena jagṛhe tripada-cchalena

yācñām ṛte pathi caran prabhubhir na cālyaḥ

Translation

The Lord, although transcendental to all material modes, still surpassed all the qualities of the sons of Aditi, known as the Ādityas. The Lord appeared as the youngest son of Aditi. And because He surpassed all the planets of the universe, He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. On the pretense of asking for a measurement of three footsteps of land, He took away all the lands of Bali Mahārāja. He asked simply because without begging, no authority can take one’s rightful possession.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Giving Everything to the Lord Brings Gain

  1. 1

    Although appearing as Aditi’s youngest son, the Lord surpassed the Ādityas and remained transcendental to the material modes. He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead and proprietor of everything.

  2. 2

    Lord Vāmana asked Bali Mahārāja for three footsteps of land rather than simply taking his rightful possessions. Recognizing Him as Viṣṇu, Bali Mahārāja agreed despite Śukrācārya’s objection.

  3. 3

    After the Lord covered all the lands with two steps, Bali Mahārāja gladly offered his head for the third. By giving everything to the Lord, he gained the Lord as his constant companion and doorman.

Key points from the purport
  • Bali Mahārāja conquered all the planets of the universe by rightful possession.
  • The Lord therefore pretended to be a beggar brāhmaṇa, and He asked Bali Mahārāja for a measurement of three footsteps of land.
  • The Lord, as the proprietor of everything, could take from Bali Mahārāja all the land he possessed, but he did not do so because Bali Mahārāja possessed all those lands by king’s rights.

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 7: Scheduled Incarnations with Specific Functions

Brahmā recounts the Lord’s incarnations and explains that unalloyed surrender enables one to understand Him.

Back to this verse in chapter 2.7
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. jyāyānthe greatest
  2. guṇaiḥby qualities
  3. avarajaḥtranscendental
  4. apialthough He is so
  5. aditeḥof Aditi
  6. sutānāmof all the sons (known as Ādityas)
  7. lokānall the planets
  8. vicakramesurpassed
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 2.7

    In this verse: “material”

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 2.7

    In this verse: “companion”

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 does Bali Mahārāja’s example change your understanding of giving to the Lord?

Practice

Set aside five minutes today specifically for the Lord’s service, offering that time willingly rather than as a loss.

5

The story around it

The stories this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 2.7's connections

Live this todayGiving Everything to the Lord Brings GainThis 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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