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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
2.8.262.8.28

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 2.8.27

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Sūta Gosvāmīsince 2.8.27inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

सूत उवाच

स उपामन्त्रितो राज्ञा कथायामिति सत्पते: ।

ब्रह्मरातो भृशं प्रीतो विष्णुरातेन संसदि ॥ २७ ॥

sūta uvāca

sa upāmantrito rājñā

kathāyām iti sat-pateḥ

brahmarāto bhṛśaṁ prīto

viṣṇurātena saṁsadi

Translation

Sūta Gosvāmī said: Thus Śukadeva Gosvāmī, being invited by Mahārāja Parīkṣit to speak on topics of the Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa with the devotees, was very much pleased.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Hear About Kṛṣṇa Among Devotees

  1. 1

    Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam can be properly discussed among devotees of the Lord. In such company, its real nectar can be relished.

  2. 2

    Śukadeva Gosvāmī was pleased because Mahārāja Parīkṣit was not tired of hearing about the Lord. His eagerness and interest kept increasing.

  3. 3

    Lord Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and His devotees are always protected by Him. The purport teaches us to hear from a qualified devotee rather than someone who misrepresents transcendental knowledge.

Key points from the purport
  • As the Bhagavad-gītā was authoritatively discussed between Lord Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna (the Lord and the devotee respectively), similarly Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, which is the postgraduate study of the Bhagavad-gītā, can also be discussed between the scholars and devotees like Śukadeva Gosvāmī and Mahārāja Parīkṣit.
  • Śukadeva Gosvāmī was pleased with Mahārāja Parīkṣit because he was not at all tired of hearing the topics of the Lord and was more and more anxious to hear them on and on with interest.
  • Śrīla Śukadeva Gosvāmī was protected by Lord Kṛṣṇa (vide Brahma-vaivarta Purāṇa), and therefore he is known as Brahmarāta, and Śrīmān Parīkṣit Mahārāja was protected by Viṣṇu, and thus he is known as Viṣṇurāta.

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. sūtaḥ uvācaŚrīla Sūta Gosvāmī said
  2. saḥhe (Śukadeva Gosvāmī)
  3. upāmantritaḥthus being inquired
  4. rājñāby the King
  5. kathāyāmin the topics
  6. itithus
  7. sat-pateḥof the highest truth
  8. brahma-rātaḥŚukadeva Gosvāmī
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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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotees”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “knowledge”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 2.8

    In this verse: “hearing”

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 nurture greater interest in hearing about Lord Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Spend five attentive minutes reading this verse and purport, with the desire to deepen your devotion to Lord Kṛṣṇa.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHear About Kṛṣṇa Among DevoteesThis 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.

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