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
2.8.282.9.1

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 2.8.29

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

यद् यत् परीक्षिद‍ृषभ: पाण्डूनामनुपृच्छति ।

आनुपूर्व्येण तत्सर्वमाख्यातुमुपचक्रमे ॥ २९ ॥

yad yat parīkṣid ṛṣabhaḥ

pāṇḍūnām anupṛcchati

ānupūrvyeṇa tat sarvam

ākyātum upacakrame

Translation

He also prepared himself to reply to all that King Parīkṣit had inquired from him. Mahārāja Parīkṣit was the best in the dynasty of the Pāṇḍus, and thus he was able to ask the right questions from the right person.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Ask Sincerely and Learn Systematically

  1. 1

    Mahārāja Parīkṣit asked the right questions of the right person. His many inquiries expressed a desire to know things as they are.

  2. 2

    A teacher need not answer questions in the order the disciple asks them. An experienced teacher can arrange the answers systematically.

  3. 3

    Śukadeva Gosvāmī answered according to the knowledge received through the chain of disciplic succession. He answered every question without exception.

Key points from the purport
  • Mahārāja Parīkṣit asked many questions, some of them very curiously, to know things as they are, but it is not necessary for the master to answer them in the order of the disciple’s inquiries, one after the other.
  • But Śukadeva Gosvāmī, experienced teacher that he was, answered all the questions in a systematic way as they were received from the chain of disciplic succession.
  • Thus end the Bhaktivedanta purports of the Second Canto, Eighth Chapter, of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, entitled “Questions by King Parīkṣit.”

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
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yat yatwhatsoever
  2. parīkṣitthe King
  3. ṛṣabhaḥthe best
  4. pāṇḍūnāmin the dynasty of Pāṇḍu
  5. anupṛcchatigoes on inquiring
  6. ānupūrvyeṇathe beginning to the end
  7. tatall those
  8. sarvamfully
  9. ākhyātumto describe
  10. upacakramehe just prepared himself
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”, “inquiries”

  • 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

Can I patiently follow a qualified teacher’s explanation, even when my questions are not answered in my preferred order?

Practice

Write down one sincere question from your study today, and keep it for discussion with a qualified teacher.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayAsk Sincerely and Learn SystematicallyThis 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 2.8.29? 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