Canto 8: Withdrawal of the Cosmic Creations
SB8.5

Canto 8 · Chapter 5 · 50 verses · 1 story

The Demigods Appeal to the Lord for Protection

Śukadeva describes the fifth and sixth Manus, then the weakened demigods’ prayers for protection.

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Connected storiesSudyumnaHiraṇyakaśipuAjāmilaAmbarīṣa Mahārāja
Who is speakingSūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitEvery voice in this chapter ›

What this chapter speaks about · the ten subjects

Chapter summary

This chapter describes the fifth and sixth Manus, and it also describes the prayers of the demigods and the curse of Durvāsā Muni.

The brother of Tāmasa, the fourth Manu, who has previously been described, was the fifth Manu, Raivata. The sons of Raivata included Arjuna, Bali and Vindhya. During the reign of this Manu, Indra, the King of heaven, was known as Vibhu. Among the demigods were the Bhūtarayas, and among the seven ṛṣis were Hiraṇyaromā, Vedaśirā and Ūrdhvabāhu. The ṛṣi known as Śubhra, by his wife, Vikuṇṭhā, gave birth to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vaikuṇṭha. This Supreme Personality of Godhead manifested a Vaikuṇṭha planet at the request of Ramādevī. His power and activities are mentioned in the Third Canto.

The sixth Manu was Cākṣuṣa, the son of Cakṣu Manu. Among the sons of the sixth Manu were Pūru, Pūruṣa and Sudyumna. During the reign of this Manu, Mantradruma was Indra, the King of the heavenly planets. Among the demigods were the Āpyas, and among the seven ṛṣis were Haviṣmān and Vīraka. The wife of Vairāja, whose name was Devasambhūti, gave birth to Ajita, an incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This Ajita, taking the shape of a tortoise and holding the mountain known as Mandara on His back, churned the ocean and produced nectar for the demigods.

Mahārāja Parīkṣit was very eager to hear about the churning of the ocean, and therefore Śukadeva Gosvāmī began to explain to him how the demigods, having been cursed by Durvāsā Muni, were defeated in battle by the asuras. When the demigods were deprived of their heavenly kingdom, they went to the assembly house of Lord Brahmā and informed Lord Brahmā of what had happened. Then Brahmā, along with all the demigods, went to the shore of the Ocean of Milk and offered prayers to Kṣīrodakaśāyī Viṣṇu.

In this chapter

Who · Lord Brahmā, Lord Śiva, the demigods, Lord Viṣṇu, Bali Mahārāja

The story · The demigods had lost their influence and strength while the demons flourished, and they offered prayers for the Lord’s protection. Pleased by their prayers, Lord Viṣṇu appeared with an effulgence like thousands of suns. He advised them to make a truce with the demons and churn the Ocean of Milk, using Mandara Mountain as the churning rod and Vāsuki as the rope. Bali Mahārāja restrained his commanders from attacking the approaching demigods, and the two sides made peace for the work. When they tried to carry the mountain, however, they became exhausted and left it on the way.

What it teaches · Even the demigods depend on the Supreme Lord’s help. Their preparations follow His direction rather than relying only on their own strength.

Beyond this chapter

Connected stories across the Bhāgavatam

Stories told in other chapters that this chapter's verses or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purports bring in, the other Bhāgavatam verses the purports quote, and stories in other cantos with the same themes. Each link shows the sentence it comes from.

What it teaches · The soul does not die when the body dies. Material association brings meeting and separation, but the living entity is distinct from the changing body.

Hiraṇyakaśipu, for example, was an exalted representative of the atheistic class of men.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport · SB 8.5.31 (Text 31)

Similarly, Hiraṇyakaśipu is described as a great devotee of Lord Brahmā, yet he was also an asura.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport · SB 8.5.24 (Text 24)
Read the story in SB 7.2

What it teaches · A devotee finds happiness in serving Kṛṣṇa rather than in wealth or mystic achievements. Ambarīṣa’s humility and compassion extended even to the person who had offended him.

At that time, O King, the demigods had been cursed by Durvāsā Muni, the three worlds were poverty-stricken, and therefore ritualistic ceremonies could not be performed.

It is described that while Durvāsā Muni was passing on the road, he saw Indra on the back of his elephant and was pleased to offer Indra a garland from his own neck.

Read the story in SB 9.4–5

What it teaches · This pastime displays the Lord’s unlimited power. Brahmā explains that understanding the Lord depends on His favor, received through unalloyed surrender to His service.

Jaya, as Hiraṇyākṣa, had to fight with Varāhadeva, and that same Varāhadeva is mentioned in regard to the Raivata millennium.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport · SB 8.5.6 (Text 6)

…Supreme Personality of Godhead, by His sweet will, appears in different incarnations, such as Matsya, Kūrma, Varāha, Nṛsiṁha, Vāmana, Paraśurāma, Rāmacandra, Balarāma, Buddha and many other forms.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport · SB 8.5.46 (Text 46)
Read the story in SB 2.7

What it teaches · The Lord’s conduct shows how dearly He values the brāhmaṇas and how seriously He regards disrespect toward them. Even while facing punishment, the doorkeepers sought the shelter of remembering Him.

The Lord’s glorious activities referred to in this connection took place after His personal bodyguards Jaya and Vijaya became Daityas, having been cursed by the great sages Sanaka, Sanātana, Sanat-kumāra and Sanandana.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport · SB 8.5.6 (Text 6)
Read the story in SB 3.15–16