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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

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

2.9.6 2.9.8

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 2.9.7

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

निशम्य तद्वक्तृदिद‍ृक्षया दिशो

विलोक्य तत्रान्यदपश्यमान: ।

स्वधिष्ण्यमास्थाय विमृश्य तद्धितं

तपस्युपादिष्ट इवादधे मन: ॥ ७ ॥

niśamya tad-vaktṛ-didṛkṣayā diśo

vilokya tatrānyad apaśyamānaḥ

svadhiṣṇyam āsthāya vimṛśya tad-dhitaṁ

tapasy upādiṣṭa ivādadhe manaḥ

Translation

When he heard the sound, he tried to find the speaker, searching on all sides. But when he was unable to find anyone besides himself, he thought it wise to sit down on his lotus seat firmly and give his attention to the execution of penance, as he was instructed.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Receive Guidance Through Disciplic Succession

1
Although Brahmā could not see the speaker, he understood that the instruction came from the Lord. He firmly resolved to carry out the instructed penance.
2
To receive the real message of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, one should approach a bona fide spiritual master in disciplic succession. One should not expect direct initiation from within as Brahmā received.
3
The sincere soul receives the Lord’s guidance through pure devotees, revealed scriptures and the bona fide spiritual master. Under that guidance, tapasya is carried out in devotional service.

Key points from the purport

As already stated, Brahmā is the original spiritual master for the universe, and since he was initiated by the Lord Himself, the message of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is coming down by disciplic succession, and in order to receive the real message of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam one should approach the current link, or spiritual master, in the chain of disciplic succession.
After being initiated by the proper spiritual master in that chain of succession, one should engage himself in the discharge of tapasya in the execution of devotional service.
One should not, however, think himself on the level of Brahmā to be initiated directly by the Lord from inside because in the present age no one can be accepted to be as pure as Brahmā.

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

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.

niśamyaafter hearing
tatthat
vaktṛthe speaker
didṛkṣayājust to find out who spoke
diśaḥall sides
vilokyaseeing
tatrathere
anyatany other

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”
Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting
Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 2.9
In this verse: “heard”

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Am I willing to receive guidance rather than assume that my own inner impressions are the Lord’s instructions?

Practice

Read a short passage of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam today and note one instruction that can guide your service to the Lord.

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.

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

Show 4 more lectures on it

Live this todayReceive Guidance Through Disciplic SuccessionThis 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 2.9.7? Get an answer from the verses themselves.

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