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 8: Questions by King Parīkṣit
2.8.132.8.15

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 2.8.14

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Kingsince 2.8.2inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

यस्मिन् कर्मसमावायो यथा येनोपगृह्यते ।

गुणानां गुणिनां चैव परिणाममभीप्सताम् ॥ १४ ॥

yasmin karma-samāvāyo

yathā yenopagṛhyate

guṇānāṁ guṇināṁ caiva

pariṇāmam abhīpsatām

Translation

Then again, kindly describe how the proportionate accumulation of the reactions resulting from the different modes of material nature act upon the desiring living being, promoting or degrading him among the different species of life, beginning from the demigods down to the most insignificant creatures.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Unmixed Devotion Leads Beyond Material Promotion

  1. 1

    Actions and reactions within the modes of material nature accumulate. Their proportionate results promote or degrade the desiring living being among different species.

  2. 2

    Life in the higher planets requires qualification through works in the mode of goodness. It cannot be attained merely by spacecraft or electronic mechanisms.

  3. 3

    Unmixed devotional service is transcendental and is called parā bhakti. It alone can promote a person to the transcendental kingdom of God.

Key points from the purport
  • The actions and reactions of all works in the material modes of nature, either in the minute form or in the gigantic form, are accumulated, and thus the result of such accumulated actions and reactions of karma, or work, become manifested in the same proportion.
  • Even on this planet of our present residence, one cannot achieve a good position within the social order without being qualified with proportionate good work.
  • Similarly, one cannot enter into the higher planetary systems without being qualified by good works in this life.

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 2.8.14 quotesBG 9.25

According to the statement of the Bhagavad-gītā (9.25), persons trying to qualify themselves for promotion to the higher, heavenly planets can go there; similarly, persons trying for the Pitṛlokas can go there; similarly, persons trying to improve the conditions on this earth can also do that, and persons who are engaged in going back home, back to Godhead, can achieve…

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

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
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yasminin which
  2. karmaactions
  3. samāvāyaḥaccumulation
  4. yathāas far as
  5. yenaby which
  6. upagṛhyatetakes over
  7. guṇānāmof the different modes of material nature
  8. guṇināmof the living beings
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 2.8

    In this verse: “devotional service”, “bhakti”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 2.8

    In this verse: “kindly”

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 seeking only better material conditions, or the goal of unmixed devotional service?

Practice

Set aside a few minutes for devotional service today without asking for material advancement.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayUnmixed Devotion Leads Beyond Material PromotionThis 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 2.8.14? 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