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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
2.8.82.8.10

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 2.8.9

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Kingsince 2.8.2inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

अज: सृजति भूतानि भूतात्मा यदनुग्रहात् ।

दद‍ृशे येन तद्रूपं नाभिपद्मसमुद्भव: ॥ ९ ॥

ajaḥ sṛjati bhūtāni

bhūtātmā yad-anugrahāt

dadṛśe yena tad-rūpaṁ

nābhi-padma-samudbhavaḥ

Translation

Brahmā, who was not born of a material source but of the lotus flower coming out of the navel abdomen of the Lord, is the creator of all those who are materially born. Of course, by the grace of the Lord, Brahmā was able to see the form of the Lord.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Brahmā Depends on the Lord’s Mercy

  1. 1

    Brahmā is called ajaḥ because he was not born from a materially born mother’s womb. He appeared from the lotus flower expanding from the Lord’s body.

  2. 2

    Brahmā was completely dependent on the Lord’s mercy. Only by that grace could he create living beings and see the Lord’s form.

  3. 3

    Whether Brahmā’s body and the Lord’s form are of the same quality requires clear understanding. Mahārāja Parīkṣit wanted a clear answer from Śrīla Śukadeva Gosvāmī.

Key points from the purport
  • The first living creature, Brahmā, is called ajaḥ because he did not take his birth from the womb of a mother materially born.
  • Thus it is not readily understandable whether the body of the Lord and that of Brahmā are of the same quality or different.
  • One thing is, however, certain: Brahmā was completely dependent on the mercy of the Lord because after his birth he could create living beings by the Lord’s grace only, and he could see the form of the Lord.

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. ajaḥone who is born without a material source
  2. sṛjaticreates
  3. bhūtāniall those materially born
  4. bhūta-ātmāhaving a body of matter
  5. yatwhose
  6. anugrahātby the mercy of
  7. dadṛśecould see
  8. yenaby whom
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 2.8

    In this verse: “grace”, “mercy”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”, “materially”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “understanding”

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 does Brahmā’s dependence teach me about the importance of the Lord’s mercy?

Practice

Pause today to reflect that even Brahmā could create and see the Lord only by His grace.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayBrahmā Depends on the Lord’s MercyThis 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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