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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 9: Answers by Citing the Lord’s Version
2.9.112.9.13

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 2.9.12

Sthāna· The universe in order
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 2.9.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

प्रवालवैदूर्यमृणालवर्चस: ।

परिस्फुरत्कुण्डलमौलिमालिन: ॥ १२ ॥

pravāla-vaidūrya-mṛṇāla-varcasaḥ

parisphurat-kuṇḍala-mauli-mālinaḥ

Translation

Some of them are effulgent like coral and diamonds in complexion and have garlands on their heads, blooming like lotus flowers, and some wear earrings.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Bodily Likeness Through the Lord’s Favor

  1. 1

    Some inhabitants have attained sārūpya liberation, possessing bodily features like those of the Personality of Godhead.

  2. 2

    The vaidūrya diamond is especially meant for the Personality of Godhead. Those who attain bodily equality with Him are especially favored with such diamonds on their bodies.

  3. 3

    The translation describes radiant complexions like coral and diamonds, along with garlands and earrings. This beauty belongs to persons favored by the Lord.

Key points from the purport
  • There are some inhabitants who have attained the liberation of sārūpya, or possessing bodily features like those of the Personality of Godhead.
  • The vaidūrya diamond is especially meant for the Personality of Godhead, but one who achieves the liberation of bodily equality with the Lord is especially favored with such diamonds on his body.

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 9: Answers by Citing the Lord’s Version

The Lord receives Brahmā, explains His eternal existence, and instructs him to remain fixed and free from pride.

Back to this verse in chapter 2.9
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. pravālacoral
  2. vaidūryaa special diamond
  3. mṛṇālacelestial lotus
  4. varcasaḥrays
  5. parisphuratblooming
  6. kuṇḍalaearring
  7. mauliheads
  8. mālinaḥwith garlands
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Sthāna · Planetary systems

    How is the universe arranged, and what is our right place in it? · Subject 3 of 10

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 2.9

    In this verse: “favored”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does seeing spiritual beauty as the Lord’s favor shape my appreciation of it?

Practice

Read the meaning of sārūpya aloud and write it once in your own words.

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.

2 lectures given on it. Recordings and transcripts on prabhupada.io.

Live this todayBodily Likeness Through the Lord’s FavorThis 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 2.9.12? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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