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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

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
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

2.7.43-45 2.7.47

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 2.7.46

Mukti· Liberation

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

ते वै विदन्त्यतितरन्ति च देवमायां

स्त्रीशूद्रहूणशबरा अपि पापजीवा: ।

यद्यद्भुतक्रमपरायणशीलशिक्षा-

स्तिर्यग्जना अपि किमु श्रुतधारणा ये ॥ ४६ ॥

te vai vidanty atitaranti ca deva-māyāṁ

strī-śūdra-hūṇa-śabarā api pāpa-jīvāḥ

yady adbhuta-krama-parāyaṇa-śīla-śikṣās

tiryag-janā api kim u śruta-dhāraṇā ye

Translation

Surrendered souls, even from groups leading sinful lives, such as women, the laborer class, the mountaineers and the Siberians, or even the birds and beasts, can also know about the science of Godhead and become liberated from the clutches of the illusory energy by surrendering unto the pure devotees of the Lord and by following in their footsteps in devotional service.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Surrender Is the Qualification for Devotional Service

1
Material qualifications are not required for progress in devotional service; the required qualification is surrender. Anyone willing can begin spiritual life immediately.
2
For someone sincerely seeking guidance, the Lord sends a bona fide representative. His loving representative is kind and easy to approach.
3
By accepting a pure devotee’s guidance and following in devotional service, one can understand the science of God. This path leads beyond illusion, back to Godhead for eternal happiness.

Key points from the purport

Sometimes there are inquiries as to how one can surrender unto the Supreme Lord.
But in the devotional service of the Lord the only qualification required is surrender.
And if one agrees to put himself under the guidance of such a devotee of the Lord, he can also understand the science of God and can also become like the transcendental pure devotee of the Lord and thus get his liberation back to Godhead, back home for eternal happiness.

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· 3

The purport of SB 2.7.46 quotesBG 18.66

In the Bhagavad-gītā (18.66) the Lord asked Arjuna to surrender unto Him, and therefore persons unwilling to do so question where God is and to whom they should surrender.

Quoted in the purport ofSB 2.9.36

tiryag-janā api kimu śruta-dhāraṇā ye. The lowest of human beings can be elevated to the highest stage of devotional life if they are trained by the bona fide spiritual master well versed in the transcendental loving service of the Lord.

Quoted in the purport ofCC Madhya 24.190

This is a quotation from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (2.7.46).

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

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

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

tesuch persons
vaiundoubtedly
vidantido know
atitarantisurpass
caalso
deva-māyāmthe covering energy of the Lord
strīsuch as women
śūdrathe laborer class of men

Key ideas in this verse

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

Mukti · Liberation
What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10
Bhakti · Devotion and loving service
How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 2.7
In this verse: “devotional service”, “devotees”, “devotee’s”
Śaraṇāgati · Wholehearted surrender
Relinquishing ownership while entrusting oneself to the Lord. · Theme in SB 2.7
In this verse: “surrendered”, “surrender”
Moha · Material attachment
The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 2.7
In this verse: “illusion”, “material”

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

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Are you postponing devotional service because you think you lack some material qualification?

Practice

Choose one instruction on devotional service from this purport and take a small step to follow it today.

The story around it

The stories this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySurrender Is the Qualification for Devotional ServiceThis 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 2.7.46? Get an answer from the verses themselves.

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