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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
2.9.212.9.23

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 2.9.22

Mukti· Liberation
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

मनीषितानुभावोऽयं मम लोकावलोकनम् ।

यदुपश्रुत्य रहसि चकर्थ परमं तप: ॥ २२ ॥

manīṣitānubhāvo ’yaṁ

mama lokāvalokanam

yad upaśrutya rahasi

cakartha paramaṁ tapaḥ

Translation

The highest perfectional ingenuity is the personal perception of My abodes, and this has been possible because of your submissive attitude in the performance of severe penance according to My order.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Know the Lord Through Humble Devotional Service

  1. 1

    The highest perfection is to know the Lord by actual perception, through His grace. This is available to those willing to follow devotional service as taught in accepted revealed scriptures.

  2. 2

    Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Personality of Godhead, asks us to remember Him, become His devotee, worship Him and bow before Him. Full surrender to Him leads back home, back to Godhead.

  3. 3

    Brahmā followed these principles without a superiority complex. The highest perfection of learning is to know the Lord and His abode, free from illusion.

Key points from the purport
  • The highest perfectional stage of life is to know the Lord by actual perception, by the grace of the Lord.
  • Lord Brahmā exactly followed these principles without any superiority complex, and thus he attained the highest perfectional stage of experiencing the abode of the Lord and the Lord Himself with all His paraphernalia.
  • But the Lord says that the highest perfectional stage of learning is to know Him and His abode, devoid of all illusion.

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. manīṣitaingenuity
  2. anubhāvaḥperception
  3. ayamthis
  4. mamaMy
  5. lokaabode
  6. avalokanamseeing by actual experience
  7. yatbecause
  8. upaśrutyahearing
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Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotional service”, “devotee”, “worship”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 2.9

    In this verse: “grace”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 2.9

    In this verse: “illusion”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Does my learning help me become more humble and willing to serve Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Take a quiet moment today to remember Kṛṣṇa and bow before Him.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKnow the Lord Through Humble Devotional ServiceThis 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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