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Study a Verse

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

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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 8: Questions by King Parīkṣit

2.8.9 2.8.11

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 2.8.10

Āśraya· The supreme shelter

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:The Kingsince 2.8.2inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

स चापि यत्र पुरुषो विश्वस्थित्युद्भवाप्यय: ।

मुक्त्वात्ममायां मायेश: शेते सर्वगुहाशय: ॥ १० ॥

sa cāpi yatra puruṣo

viśva-sthity-udbhavāpyayaḥ

muktvātma-māyāṁ māyeśaḥ

śete sarva-guhāśayaḥ

Translation

Please also explain the Personality of Godhead, who lies in every heart as the Supersoul, and as the Lord of all energies, but is untouched by His external energy.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Lord Within Remains Untouched

1
The Personality of Godhead lies in every heart as the Supersoul. He is also the Lord of all energies.
2
The Lord’s form seen by Brahmā must be transcendental. He can look upon the creative energy without being touched by it.
3
The same Lord lies in the heart of every living entity. How He does so while remaining untouched requires proper explanation.

Key points from the purport

Undoubtedly the form of the Lord who was seen by Brahmā must be transcendental; otherwise how could He simply look upon the creative energy without being touched?
It is understood also that the same puruṣa lies in the heart of every living entity.

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

Quoted in the purport ofSB 2.9.33

For example, in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (2.8.10), Mahārāja Parīkṣit asks: “How does the Personality of Godhead, the cause of creation, maintenance and annihilation, who is always freed from the influence of the illusory energy and is the controller of the same, lie in everyone’s heart?”

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

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