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 7: Scheduled Incarnations with Specific Functions
2.7.82.7.10

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 2.7.9

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

यद्वेनमुत्पथगतं द्विजवाक्यवज्र-

निष्प्लुष्टपौरुषभगं निरये पतन्तम् ।

त्रात्वार्थितो जगति पुत्रपदं च लेभे

दुग्धा वसूनि वसुधा सकलानि येन ॥ ९ ॥

yad venam utpatha-gataṁ dvija-vākya-vajra-

niṣpluṣṭa-pauruṣa-bhagaṁ niraye patantam

trātvārthito jagati putra-padaṁ ca lebhe

dugdhā vasūni vasudhā sakalāni yena

Translation

Mahārāja Vena went astray from the path of righteousness, and the brāhmaṇas chastised him by the thunderbolt curse. By this King Vena was burnt with his good deeds and opulence and was en route to hell. The Lord, by His causeless mercy, descended as his son, by the name of Pṛthu, delivered the condemned King Vena from hell, and exploited the earth by drawing all kinds of crops as produce.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Lord Restores Welfare Through Pṛthu

  1. 1

    Learned, pious brāhmaṇas guided kings according to scripture for the complete welfare of their subjects. Because they were not paid servants of the king, they could speak independently.

  2. 2

    Mahārāja Vena willfully neglected these great souls and lost the benefits of his past righteousness. The purport urges us to follow in the footsteps of great souls.

  3. 3

    Responding to the brāhmaṇas’ prayers, the Lord descended as Pṛthu to rectify disorders on earth and produce all kinds of crops. He also delivered his father, Vena, from hellish suffering, fulfilling the duty of a worthy son.

Key points from the purport
  • Mahārāja Vena did not adhere to this principle of ruling, and he disobeyed the learned brāhmaṇas.
  • Mahārāja Vena became a king, undoubtedly due to his past deeds of righteousness, but because he willfully neglected the great souls, he was punished by the loss of all the above-mentioned acquisitions.
  • Mahārāja Pṛthu, the incarnation of God, descended by the prayer of the brāhmaṇas to rectify the disorders on earth.

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
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yatwhen
  2. venamunto King Vena
  3. utpatha-gatamgoing astray from the righteous path
  4. dvijaof the brāhmaṇas
  5. vākyawords of cursing
  6. vajrathunderbolt
  7. niṣpluṣṭabeing burnt by
  8. pauruṣagreat deeds
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

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 2.7

    In this verse: “mercy”, “causeless”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 2.7

    In this verse: “king”, “kings”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 2.7

    In this verse: “suffering”, “welfare”

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

Am I willing to accept spiritually grounded correction when it challenges my wishes?

Practice

Choose one instruction from this purport about following great souls, and write how you can apply it today.

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 todayThe Lord Restores Welfare Through PṛthuThis 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 2.7.9? 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