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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

2.9.30 2.9.32

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 2.9.31

Mukti· Liberation

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:The Personality of Godheadsince 2.9.31inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitThe Supreme Lord → Lord Brahmā

श्रीभगवानुवाच

ज्ञानं परमगुह्यं मे यद् विज्ञानसमन्वितम् ।

सरहस्यं तदङ्गं च गृहाण गदितं मया ॥ ३१ ॥

śrī-bhagavān uvāca

jñānaṁ parama-guhyaṁ me

yad vijñāna-samanvitam

sarahasyaṁ tad-aṅgaṁ ca

gṛhāṇa gaditaṁ mayā

Translation

The Personality of Godhead said: Knowledge about Me as described in the scriptures is very confidential, and it has to be realized in conjunction with devotional service. The necessary paraphernalia for that process is being explained by Me. You may take it up carefully.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Know the Lord Through Devotional Service

1
Confidential knowledge of the Supreme Personality of Godhead must be revealed by the Lord Himself. Mental speculation alone cannot bring complete knowledge of Him.
2
Lord Kṛṣṇa instructed Arjuna because he was His devotee and friend. Devotional service and love of Godhead are the qualifications for understanding the Lord.
3
Beginners can practice devotional service with their present senses by following its regulative principles. These are mainly based on hearing and chanting the Lord’s glories in the association of devotees.

Key points from the purport

Lord Brahmā is the topmost devotee of the Lord within the universe, and therefore the Personality of Godhead replied to his four principal inquiries in four important statements, which are known as the original Bhāgavatam in four verses.
Therefore, the knowledge of the Personality of Godhead may be attained by devotional service only.
Lord Caitanya therefore recommended five main principles for attaining perfection in the devotional service 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· 3

Quoted in the purport ofSB 5.5.10-13

As stated in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (2.9.31): jñānaṁ parama-guhyaṁ me yad vijñāna-samanvitam.

Quoted in the purport ofCC Ādi 1.50

These instructions, which are reproduced from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (2.9.31-36), were imparted by the Personality of Godhead, acting as the supreme spiritual master.

Quoted in the purport ofCC Madhya 25.105

This is a quotation from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (2.9.31).

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.

śrī-bhagavān uvācathe Personality of Godhead said
jñānamknowledge acquired
paramaextremely
guhyamconfidential
meof Me
yatwhich is
vijñānarealization
samanvitamcoordinated

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”
Jñāna · Spiritual insight
Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 2.9
In this verse: “knowledge”, “understanding”
Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting
Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 2.9
In this verse: “chanting”, “hearing”

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can I make my study an act of devotion rather than only an effort to gather knowledge?

Practice

Spend five minutes today hearing Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam from a devotee, attending carefully to the Lord’s glories.

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.

Quoted in 11 lectures. Recordings and transcripts on prabhupada.io.

Quoted in 11 lectures

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 todayKnow the Lord 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 2.9.31? Get an answer from the verses themselves.

Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories