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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
2.8.42.8.6

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 2.8.5

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

प्रविष्ट: कर्णरन्ध्रेण स्वानां भावसरोरुहम् ।

धुनोति शमलं कृष्ण: सलिलस्य यथा शरत् ॥ ५ ॥

praviṣṭaḥ karṇa-randhreṇa

svānāṁ bhāva-saroruham

dhunoti śamalaṁ kṛṣṇaḥ

salilasya yathā śarat

Translation

The sound incarnation of Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Soul [i.e., Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam], enters into the heart of a self-realized devotee, sits on the lotus flower of his loving relationship, and thus cleanses the dust of material association, such as lust, anger and hankering. Thus it acts like autumnal rains upon pools of muddy water.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Devotional Hearing Cleanses the Heart

  1. 1

    Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is the sound incarnation of Lord Kṛṣṇa. Through hearing, the Lord becomes manifest in the heart and cleanses material lust, anger and hankering.

  2. 2

    A pure devotee empowered by the spiritual master can deliver not only himself but many others. Devotional service has the power to cleanse the hearts of people in general.

  3. 3

    Sincere hearing helps one realize one’s loving relationship with the Lord and become situated in His service. Regular devotional hearing is recommended for lasting purification, unlike methods whose effects may be temporary.

Key points from the purport
  • In other words, the cleansing of the polluted heart by other methods (like the culture of empiric knowledge or mystic gymnastics) can simply cleanse one’s own heart, but devotional service to the Lord is so powerful that it can cleanse the hearts of the people in general, by the devotional service of the pure, empowered devotee.
  • The Lord is always within the heart of the living being, but He becomes manifested by one’s devotional service.
  • The idea is that devotional service to the Lord is the only method of cleansing the heart for good.

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 6.4.27-28

In this regard, Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura quotes a verse from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (2.8.5): praviṣṭaḥ karṇa-randhreṇa svānāṁ bhāva-saroruham.

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. praviṣṭaḥthus being entered
  2. karṇa-randhreṇathrough the holes of the ears
  3. svānāmaccording to one’s liberated position
  4. bhāvaconstitutional relationship
  5. saraḥ-ruhamthe lotus flower
  6. dhunoticleanses
  7. śamalammaterial qualities like lust, anger, avarice and hankering
  8. kṛṣṇaḥLord Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead
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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: “lust”, “material”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

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

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

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

    In this verse: “cleanses”, “purification”

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 approach hearing as loving service rather than merely gathering information?

Practice

Hear Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam attentively for five minutes today, with the desire to serve the Lord and have your heart cleansed.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDevotional Hearing Cleanses the HeartOne of the 108 chosen lessons: a practice and a question from this verse

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 2.8.5? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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