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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
2.7.282.7.30

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 2.7.29

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
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

तत् कर्म दिव्यमिव यन्निशि नि:शयानं

दावाग्निना शुचिवने परिदह्यमाने ।

उन्नेष्यति व्रजमतोऽवसितान्तकालं

नेत्रे पिधाप्य सबलोऽनधिगम्यवीर्य: ॥ २९ ॥

tat karma divyam iva yan niśi niḥśayānaṁ

dāvāgninā śuci-vane paridahyamāne

unneṣyati vrajam ato ’vasitānta-kālaṁ

netre pidhāpya sabalo ’nadhigamya-vīryaḥ

Translation

On the very night of the day of the chastisement of the Kāliya snake, when the inhabitants of Vrajabhūmi were sleeping carefreely, there was a forest fire ablaze due to dry leaves, and it appeared that all the inhabitants were sure to meet their death. But the Lord, along with Balarāma, saved them simply by closing His eyes. Such are the superhuman activities of the Lord.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Knowing the Lord’s Transcendental Activities

  1. 1

    A blazing forest fire threatened the sleeping inhabitants of Vrajabhūmi. The Lord, along with Balarāma, saved them simply by closing His eyes.

  2. 2

    All the Lord’s activities are superhuman, not only those that appear especially amazing. This distinguishes Him from ordinary living beings.

  3. 3

    One who knows the transcendental nature of the Lord’s activities becomes eligible to enter Kṛṣṇa’s kingdom. After leaving the present material body, such a person goes back home, back to Godhead.

Key points from the purport
  • Although in this verse the Lord’s activity has been described as superhuman, it should be noted that the Lord’s activities are always superhuman, and that distinguishes Him from the ordinary living being.
  • But not only are these activities amazing to hear, but in fact all other activities of the Lord, whatever He may do, are all superhuman, as confirmed in the Bhagavad-gītā (4.9).
  • Whoever knows the superhuman activities of the Lord, due to their very transcendental nature, becomes eligible to enter the kingdom of Kṛṣṇa, and, as such, after quitting this present material body, the knower of the transcendental activities of the Lord goes back home, back to Godhead.

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 2.7.29 quotesBG 4.9

But not only are these activities amazing to hear, but in fact all other activities of the Lord, whatever He may do, are all superhuman, as confirmed in the Bhagavad-gītā (4.9).

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 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. tatthat
  2. karmaactivity
  3. divyamsuperhuman
  4. ivalike
  5. yatwhich
  6. niśiat night
  7. niḥśayānamsleeping carefreely
  8. dāva-agnināby the glare of the forest fire
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 2.7

    In this verse: “saved”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 2.7

    In this verse: “death”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    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 can I study the Lord’s activities as transcendental deeds rather than merely amazing events?

Practice

Reread this verse slowly, reflecting on the transcendental nature of the Lord’s rescue.

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 todayKnowing the Lord’s Transcendental ActivitiesThis 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 2.7.29? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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