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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
2.9.72.9.9

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 2.9.8

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

दिव्यं सहस्राब्दममोघदर्शनो

जितानिलात्मा विजितोभयेन्द्रिय: ।

अतप्यत स्माखिललोकतापनं

तपस्तपीयांस्तपतां समाहित: ॥ ८ ॥

divyaṁ sahasrābdam amogha-darśano

jitānilātmā vijitobhayendriyaḥ

atapyata smākhila-loka-tāpanaṁ

tapas tapīyāṁs tapatāṁ samāhitaḥ

Translation

Lord Brahmā underwent penances for one thousand years by the calculations of the demigods. He heard this transcendental vibration from the sky, and he accepted it as divine. Thus he controlled his mind and senses, and the penances he executed were a great lesson for the living entities. Thus he is known as the greatest of all ascetics.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Faithfully Follow Transcendental Instruction

  1. 1

    Brahmā accepted the Lord’s instruction even though the Lord was not visible. There is no difference between the Lord and the sound vibration coming from Him.

  2. 2

    Transcendental sound must be received from the right source, a bona fide spiritual master. Faithfully carrying out that instruction is the secret of the disciple’s success.

  3. 3

    Brahmā controlled his mind and senses to execute the Lord’s order. True sense control means engaging the senses in the transcendental service of the Lord.

Key points from the purport
  • The secret of success is to receive the sound from the right source of a bona fide spiritual master.
  • One should be qualified enough to discern such transcendental potency, and either by discriminating or by fortunate chance if one is able to receive the transcendental sound from the bona fide spiritual master, his path of liberation is guaranteed.
  • The disciple, however, must be ready to execute the order of the bona fide spiritual master as Lord Brahmā executed the instruction of his spiritual master, the Lord Himself.

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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. divyampertaining to the demigods in the higher planets
  2. sahasraone thousand
  3. abdamyears
  4. amoghaspotless, without a tinge of impurity
  5. darśanaḥone who has such a vision of life
  6. jitacontrolled
  7. anilalife
  8. ātmāmind
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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

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 2.9

    In this verse: “heard”

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can I engage my senses in service rather than simply try to restrain them?

Practice

Spend five attentive minutes reading Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam aloud, engaging your voice, eyes and ears in the Lord’s service.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

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Śrīla Prabhupāda speaks

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

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

Show 2 more lectures on it
Live this todayFaithfully Follow Transcendental InstructionThis 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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