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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

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

How to study this verse, in six steps

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
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

2.9.2 2.9.4

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 2.9.3

Mukti· Liberation

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 2.9.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

यर्हि वाव महिम्नि स्वे परस्मिन् कालमाययो: ।

रमेत गतसम्मोहस्त्यक्त्वोदास्ते तदोभयम् ॥ ३ ॥

yarhi vāva mahimni sve

parasmin kāla-māyayoḥ

rameta gata-sammohas

tyaktvodāste tadobhayam

Translation

As soon as the living entity becomes situated in his constitutional glory and begins to enjoy the transcendence beyond time and material energy, he at once gives up the two misconceptions of life [I and mine] and thus becomes fully manifested as the pure self.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Pure Identity Awakens Through Devotional Service

1
The real meaning of “I” is understood in the consciousness, “I am the eternal servitor of the Lord.” Both possessiveness and the claim to be the Supreme obscure this pure identity.
2
The Lord controls material energy, while the conditioned living entity is under its influence. Freedom comes through surrender and transcendental loving service, not through claiming equality with the Lord.
3
Earnestly practicing bhakti-yoga includes worshiping and glorifying the Lord, hearing Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam from one who lives its teachings, and associating with pure devotees. The perfect process is to accept Lord Vāsudeva as supreme in everything and surrender unto Him.

Key points from the purport

The misconception of “I am the Lord,” or “I am the Supreme,” is more dangerous than the misconception of “mine.”
The Bhagavad-gītā says that one can be freed from the control of the material nature by surrendering unto the Supreme Lord, but if there is no surrender, then the living entity will never be able to control the material nature.
In his conditional life the living entity is servant of the illusory māyā, and in his liberated state he is the pure, unqualified servant of the Lord.

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· 2

The purport of SB 2.9.3 quotesBG 9.10

The Bhagavad-gītā (9.10) confirms this controlling power of the Lord over the material nature.

The purport of SB 2.9.3 quotesBG 14.26

The Bhagavad-gītā (14.26) confirms this as follows: So the science of bhakti-yoga, of worshiping the Lord, glorifying the Lord, hearing the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam from the right sources (not from the professional man but from a person who is Bhāgavatam in life) and being always in the association of pure devotees, should be adopted in earnestness.

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

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

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

yarhiat any time
vāvacertainly
mahimniin the glory
sveof himself
parasminin the Supreme
kālatime
māyayoḥof the material energy
rametaenjoys

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: “devotees”, “bhakti-yoga”, “worshiping”
Moha · Material attachment
The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 2.9
In this verse: “material”
Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting
Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 2.9
In this verse: “hearing”, “glorifying”

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How would remembering that I am the Lord’s servant change my desire to possess or control?

Practice

Take one minute today to glorify the Lord as supreme and express your wish to serve Him.

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Śrīla Prabhupāda speaks

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

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

Show 5 more lectures on it

Live this todayPure Identity Awakens Through 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.

Ask the BhāgavatamHave a question about SB 2.9.3? Get an answer from the verses themselves.

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