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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
2.9.362.9.38

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 2.9.37

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

एतन्मतं समातिष्ठ परमेण समाधिना ।

भवान् कल्पविकल्पेषु न विमुह्यति कर्हिचित् ॥ ३७ ॥

etan mataṁ samātiṣṭha

parameṇa samādhinā

bhavān kalpa-vikalpeṣu

na vimuhyati karhicit

Translation

O Brahmā, just follow this conclusion by fixed concentration of mind, and no pride will disturb you, neither in the partial nor in the final devastation.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Remain Fixed in the Lord’s Conclusion

  1. 1

    Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, taught Brahmā the essential conclusion of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. He advised Brahmā to remain fixed in it without pride or bewilderment.

  2. 2

    Understanding begins by approaching a bona fide spiritual master in the paramparā system, or disciplic succession. The spiritual master teaches devotional service through scripture and personal example, not speculative interpretations.

  3. 3

    Loving devotional service brings satisfaction and detachment from sense enjoyment. To devotees constantly serving Him with love, the Lord gives guidance toward returning home, back to Godhead.

Key points from the purport
  • The Lord was the teacher of the nucleus of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam in four verses, and Brahmā was the receiver of the knowledge.
  • Therefore Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam means consciousness of the Supreme Personality of Godhead Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is the sound representation of the Lord as much as the Bhagavad-gītā is.
  • Thus the conclusion is that Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is the science of the Lord in which the Lord and His abode are perfectly realized.

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 2.9.37 quotesSB 1.2.20

The Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (1.2.20) affirms this: Thus in the completely satisfied stage of life, exhibited by full detachment from the world of sense enjoyment as a result of performing devotional service, one can understand the science of God in the liberated stage.

The purport of SB 2.9.37 quotesBG 10.10

This direct instruction by the Lord to any devotee who is detached from the world of sense gratification is possible, as stated in the Bhagavad-gītā (10.10): Unto the devotees who are constantly engaged in the Lord’s transcendental loving service (prīti-pūrvakam), the Lord, out of His causeless mercy upon the devotee, gives direct instructions so that the devotee may make accurate…

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

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
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. etatthis
  2. matamthe conclusion
  3. samātiṣṭharemain fixed
  4. parameṇaby the supreme
  5. samādhināconcentration of the mind
  6. bhavānyourself
  7. kalpaintermediate devastation
  8. vikalpeṣuin the final devastation
  9. na vimuhyatiwill never bewilder
  10. karhicitanything like complacence
3

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”, “devotees”

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 2.9

    In this verse: “pride”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 2.9

    In this verse: “understanding”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Am I trying to understand through service and received guidance, or mainly through my own speculation?

Practice

Reread one instruction in this purport and write down how you can follow it today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 2.9's connections

Live this todayRemain Fixed in the Lord’s ConclusionThis 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 2.9.37? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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