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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
2.9.232.9.25

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 2.9.24

Āśraya· The supreme shelter
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

सृजामि तपसैवेदं ग्रसामि तपसा पुन: ।

बिभर्मि तपसा विश्वं वीर्यं मे दुश्चरं तप: ॥ २४ ॥

sṛjāmi tapasaivedaṁ

grasāmi tapasā punaḥ

bibharmi tapasā viśvaṁ

vīryaṁ me duścaraṁ tapaḥ

Translation

I create this cosmos by such penance, I maintain it by the same energy, and I withdraw it all by the same energy. Therefore the potency is penance only.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Determined Service Invites the Lord’s Mercy

  1. 1

    The Lord creates, maintains and withdraws the cosmos through the same energy of penance.

  2. 2

    One should be determined to return home, back to Godhead, and accept difficulties for that purpose. An easygoing life and perfection in transcendental realization cannot go together.

  3. 3

    True penance is to carry out the Lord’s order, received directly or through a bona fide spiritual master, however painstaking it may be. Steady obedience brings success in attaining His mercy.

Key points from the purport
  • In executing penance, one must be determined to return home, back to Godhead, and must decide to undergo all types of tribulations for that end.
  • Why, then, should there not be severe types of penances for the perfection of devotional service?
  • The Lord is more clever than any living entity; therefore He wants to see how painstaking the devotee is in devotional service.

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. sṛjāmiI create
  2. tapasāby the same energy of penance
  3. evacertainly
  4. idamthis
  5. grasāmi tapasāI do withdraw also by the same energy
  6. punaḥagain
  7. bibharmido maintain
  8. tapasāby penance
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Āśraya · The summum bonum

    Who is the shelter of everything? · Subject 10 of 10

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 2.9

    In this verse: “mercy”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How willing am I to accept inconvenience for the sake of devotional service?

Practice

Complete one small devotional commitment today, even if it requires extra effort.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDetermined Service Invites 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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