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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 8: Questions by King Parīkṣit
2.7.532.8.2

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 2.8.1

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:King Parīkṣitsince 2.8.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

राजोवाच

ब्रह्मणा चोदितो ब्रह्मन् गुणाख्यानेऽगुणस्य च ।

यस्मै यस्मै यथा प्राह नारदो देवदर्शन: ॥ १ ॥

rājovāca

brahmaṇā codito brahman

guṇākhyāne ’guṇasya ca

yasmai yasmai yathā prāha

nārado deva-darśanaḥ

Translation

King Parīkṣit inquired from Śukadeva Gosvāmī: How did Nārada Muni, whose hearers are as fortunate as those instructed by Lord Brahmā, explain the transcendental qualities of the Lord, who is without material qualities, and before whom did he speak?

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Receive Knowledge Through Disciplic Succession

  1. 1

    Vedic knowledge comes down from the Supreme Lord through disciplic succession, not through mental speculation. Nārada received this knowledge from Brahmājī, who was instructed by the Lord.

  2. 2

    A bona fide spiritual master faithfully passes on the Lord’s original instruction. The teaching must not differ from what the Lord imparted.

  3. 3

    The Lord being aguṇa does not mean that He has no qualities. His name and qualities are transcendental, free from material goodness, passion and ignorance.

Key points from the purport
  • Devarṣi Nārada was directly instructed by Brahmājī, who was also directly instructed by the Supreme Lord; therefore the instructions imparted by Nārada to his various disciples are as good as those of the Supreme Lord.
  • How Nārada Muni distributed the transcendental knowledge of the Lord will be explained in later cantos.
  • It will appear also that the Lord existed prior to the material creation, and therefore His transcendental name, quality, etc., do not represent any material quality.

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

Inquiry → Conviction. Divine knowledge resolves fundamental cosmic uncertainty.

Chapters 8–10 of Canto 2: Parīkṣit questions; Brahmā receives revelation. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 8: Questions by King Parīkṣit

Parīkṣit requests further hearing about Kṛṣṇa and asks questions about creation, time, duty, and devotional service.

Back to this verse in chapter 2.8
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. rājāthe King
  2. uvācainquired
  3. brahmaṇāby Lord Brahmā
  4. coditaḥbeing instructed
  5. brahmanO learned brāhmaṇa (Śukadeva Gosvāmī)
  6. guṇa-ākhyānein narrating the transcendental qualities
  7. aguṇasyaof the Lord, who is without material qualities
  8. caand
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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 2.8

    In this verse: “inquired”, “knowledge”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 2.8

    In this verse: “material”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 2.8

    In this verse: “king”

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 give more attention to faithfully received teachings rather than my own speculation?

Practice

Reread this purport and note its test for a bona fide spiritual master.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayReceive Knowledge Through Disciplic SuccessionThis 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 2.8.1? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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