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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
2.9.202.9.22

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 2.9.21

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The beautiful Personality of Godheadsince 2.9.20inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitThe Supreme Lord → Lord Brahmā

वरं वरय भद्रं ते वरेशं माभिवाञ्छितम् ।

ब्रह्मञ्छ्रेय:परिश्राम: पुंसां मद्दर्शनावधि: ॥ २१ ॥

varaṁ varaya bhadraṁ te

vareśaṁ mābhivāñchitam

brahmañ chreyaḥ-pariśrāmaḥ

puṁsāṁ mad-darśanāvadhiḥ

Translation

I wish you good luck. O Brahmā, you may ask from Me, the giver of all benediction, all that you may desire. You may know that the ultimate benediction, as the result of all penances, is to see Me by realization.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Seeing the Lord Is the Highest Perfection

  1. 1

    The ultimate benediction of all penances is to know and see the Personality of Godhead face to face.

  2. 2

    Realization of impersonal Brahman and localized Paramātmā is not the ultimate realization. Everything is included in the perfection of realizing the Supreme Lord.

  3. 3

    The next stage is to discharge devotional service simply to satisfy the Lord, rather than struggle hard in penance.

Key points from the purport
  • The ultimate realization of the Supreme Truth is knowing and seeing face to face the Personality of Godhead.
  • Realization of the impersonal Brahman and localized Paramātmā features of the Personality of Godhead is not ultimate realization.
  • When one realizes the Supreme Lord, one does not struggle hard to perform such penances.

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. varambenediction
  2. varayajust ask from
  3. bhadramauspicious
  4. teunto you
  5. vara-īśamthe giver of all benediction
  6. mā (mām))from Me
  7. abhivāñchitamwishing
  8. brahmanO Brahmā
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotional service”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Am I seeking blessings for myself, or learning to serve simply to satisfy the Lord?

Practice

Before one act of devotional service today, pause and make satisfying the Lord your intention.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySeeing the Lord Is the Highest PerfectionThis 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 2.9.21? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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