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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
2.9.392.9.41

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 2.9.40

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 2.9.38inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

प्रजापतिर्धर्मपतिरेकदा नियमान् यमान् ।

भद्रं प्रजानामन्विच्छन्नातिष्ठत् स्वार्थकाम्यया ॥ ४० ॥

prajāpatir dharma-patir

ekadā niyamān yamān

bhadraṁ prajānām anvicchann

ātiṣṭhat svārtha-kāmyayā

Translation

Thus once upon a time the forefather of living entities and the father of religiousness, Lord Brahmā, situated himself in acts of regulative principles, desiring self-interest for the welfare of all living entities.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Teach Welfare Through Your Own Conduct

  1. 1

    Brahmā followed rules and principles of sense control to teach others how to carry out higher duties. An unrestricted life of sense gratification does not lead to an exalted position.

  2. 2

    Anyone who desires the welfare of family and future generations must lead a moral, religious life. The highest moral life is to become a devotee of the Lord.

  3. 3

    Pure devotees teach by acting according to their own instructions. Brahmā desired the welfare of everyone as servants of God.

Key points from the purport
  • One cannot be situated in an exalted position without having undertaken a regulative life of rules and regulations.
  • An unrestricted life of sense gratification is animal life, and Lord Brahmā, in order to teach all concerned within the jurisdiction of his generations, taught the same principles of sense control for executing higher duties.
  • The highest life of moral principles is to become a devotee of the Lord because a pure devotee of the Lord has all the good qualities 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.

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. prajā-patiḥthe forefather of all living entities
  2. dharma-patiḥthe father of religious life
  3. ekadāonce upon a time
  4. niyamānrules and regulations
  5. yamānprinciples of control
  6. bhadramwelfare
  7. prajānāmof the living beings
  8. anvicchandesiring
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 2.9

    In this verse: “religiousness”, “principles”, “religious”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 2.9

    In this verse: “welfare”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 2.9

    In this verse: “father”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Does my own conduct reflect the guidance I offer others?

Practice

Choose one principle of self-control you encourage in others, and consciously practice it yourself today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayTeach Welfare Through Your Own ConductThis 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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