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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
2.8.62.8.8

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 2.8.7

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

यदधातुमतो ब्रह्मन् देहारम्भोऽस्य धातुभि: ।

यद‍ृच्छया हेतुना वा भवन्तो जानते यथा ॥ ७ ॥

yad adhātu-mato brahman

dehārambho ’sya dhātubhiḥ

yadṛcchayā hetunā vā

bhavanto jānate yathā

Translation

O learned brāhmaṇa, the transcendental spirit soul is different from the material body. Does he acquire the body accidentally or by some cause? Will you kindly explain this, for it is known to you.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Strengthen Devotion Through Sincere Inquiry

  1. 1

    Mahārāja Parīkṣit asks how the spiritual soul acquires a material body. His inquiry establishes the philosophical basis of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam for those pursuing self-realization and devotional service.

  2. 2

    The conditioned living being changes material bodies, but the Supreme Lord does not. The Lord is spiritually whole, with no difference between His body and His soul.

  3. 3

    Devotional service begins with taking shelter of a spiritual master and inquiring about the process. The spiritual master must be realized and learned in authorized scriptures, able to answer relevant questions.

Key points from the purport
  • A person on the path of devotional service may inquire from his spiritual master all about the spiritual position of God and the living beings.
  • In the process of devotional service, the first step is to take shelter of the spiritual master and then inquire from the spiritual master all about the process.
  • Even if one is fixed in devotional service like Mahārāja Parīkṣit, he must still inquire from the realized spiritual master all about this.

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. yatas it is
  2. adhātu-mataḥwithout being materially constituted
  3. brahmanO learned brāhmaṇa
  4. dehathe material body
  5. ārambhaḥthe beginning of
  6. asyaof the living being
  7. dhātubhiḥby matter
  8. yadṛcchayāwithout cause, accidental
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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “spirit soul”, “inquiry”, “philosophical”

  • 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

What sincere question about the soul or devotional service do I need to bring to a qualified spiritual master?

Practice

Write down one clear question about spiritual life to ask a qualified spiritual master.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Śrīla Prabhupāda speaks

His recorded lectures on this verse, and the talks where he quotes it.

1 lecture given on it. Recordings and transcripts on prabhupada.io.

Live this todayStrengthen Devotion Through Sincere InquiryThis 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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