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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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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
2.8.22.8.4

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 2.8.3

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Kingsince 2.8.2inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

कथयस्व महाभाग यथाहमखिलात्मनि ।

कृष्णे निवेश्य नि:सङ्गं मनस्त्यक्ष्ये कलेवरम् ॥ ३ ॥

kathayasva mahābhāga

yathāham akhilātmani

kṛṣṇe niveśya niḥsaṅgaṁ

manas tyakṣye kalevaram

Translation

O greatly fortunate Śukadeva Gosvāmī, please continue narrating Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam so that I can place my mind upon the Supreme Soul, Lord Kṛṣṇa, and, being completely freed from material qualities, thus relinquish this body.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Associate With Kṛṣṇa Through Hearing

  1. 1

    Full engagement in hearing Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam means constant association with Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. His association removes material contamination as sunlight removes darkness.

  2. 2

    Mahārāja Parīkṣit wanted to place his mind upon Kṛṣṇa and leave his body remembering Him. He chose continued hearing as his means of remaining in the Lord’s association.

  3. 3

    One should hear from a self-realized soul, not seek material benefits through professional recitations. Such hearing should continue throughout one’s life.

Key points from the purport
  • To be fully engaged in hearing the transcendental narration described in the text of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam means to constantly associate with the Supreme Soul, Śrī Kṛṣṇa.
  • Mahārāja Parīkṣit was destined to give up his body at the end of seven days, and thus he decided to continue remembering the Lord by His association with the topics of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, and thus to quit his body in full consciousness of the presence of the Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Soul.
  • One should continue such hearing till the end of one’s life so that one can actually have the transcendental association of the Lord and thus be liberated simply by hearing Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.

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. kathayasvaplease continue speaking
  2. mahābhāgaO greatly fortunate one
  3. yathāas much as
  4. ahamI
  5. akhila-ātmaniunto the Supreme Soul
  6. kṛṣṇeunto Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa
  7. niveśyahaving placed
  8. niḥsaṅgambeing freed from material qualities
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

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

    In this verse: “hearing”, “recitations”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 2.8

    In this verse: “contamination”

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 hearing to remember Kṛṣṇa, or mainly to obtain some material benefit?

Practice

Before today’s hearing, take a moment to set your intention: to associate with and remember Kṛṣṇa.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayAssociate With Kṛṣṇa Through HearingThis 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 2.8.3? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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