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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
2.9.142.9.16

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 2.9.15

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 2.9.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

ददर्श तत्राखिलसात्वतां पतिं

श्रिय: पतिं यज्ञपतिं जगत्पतिम् ।

सुनन्दनन्दप्रबलार्हणादिभि:

स्वपार्षदाग्रै: परिसेवितं विभुम् ॥ १५ ॥

dadarśa tatrākhila-sātvatāṁ patiṁ

śriyaḥ patiṁ yajña-patiṁ jagat-patim

sunanda-nanda-prabalārhaṇādibhiḥ

sva-pārṣadāgraiḥ parisevitaṁ vibhum

Translation

Lord Brahmā saw in the Vaikuṇṭha planets the Personality of Godhead, who is the Lord of the entire devotee community, the Lord of the goddess of fortune, the Lord of all sacrifices, and the Lord of the universe, and who is served by the foremost servitors like Nanda, Sunanda, Prabala and Arhaṇa, His immediate associates.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Supreme Person Surrounded by Loving Servitors

  1. 1

    Brahmā saw the Personality of Godhead, the Lord of the devotees, the goddess of fortune, all sacrifices and the universe.

  2. 2

    Just as a king is accompanied by confidential associates, the Lord is accompanied by His energies, associates and confidential servitors.

  3. 3

    The Supreme Lord is the leader of all living entities and the enjoyer of His creation. His immediate associates are always engaged in loving transcendental service to Him.

Key points from the purport
  • When we speak of a king it is naturally understood that the king is accompanied by his confidential associates, like his secretary, private secretary, aide-de-camp, ministers and advisers.

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 4.21.34

Śriyaḥ patiṁ yajña-patiṁ jagat-patim. The Supreme Personality of Godhead’s deep scientific knowledge is concentrated to the supreme point.

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 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. dadarśaBrahmā saw
  2. tatrathere (in Vaikuṇṭhaloka)
  3. akhilaentire
  4. sātvatāmof the great devotees
  5. patimthe Lord
  6. śriyaḥof the goddess of fortune
  7. patimthe Lord
  8. yajñaof sacrifice
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Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Īśānukathā · The science of God

    Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 of 10

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 2.9

    In this verse: “devotee”, “devotees”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 2.9

    In this verse: “nanda”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 2.9

    In this verse: “king”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does the loving service of the Lord’s associates teach me about my own goal?

Practice

Pause before one devotional activity today and consciously offer it as loving service to the Supreme Lord.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

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Śrīla Prabhupāda speaks

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

1 lecture given on it · quoted in 1 more lecture. Recordings and transcripts on prabhupada.io.

Quoted in 1 other lecture

In each of these he quotes this verse while speaking on another verse or subject. "Find the quote" opens the transcript at that spot.

Live this todayThe Supreme Person Surrounded by Loving ServitorsThis 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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