1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 1 · Creation · 19 chapters

12345678910111213141516171819

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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 1 · Chapter 15: The Pāṇḍavas Retire Timely
1.15.71.15.9

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.15.8

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Arjunasince 1.15.5inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

यत्सन्निधावहमु खांडवमग्नयेऽदा-

मिन्द्रं च सामरगणं तरसा विजित्य ।

लब्धा सभा मयकृताद्भुतशिल्पमाया

दिग्भ्योऽहरन्नृपतयो बलिमध्वरे ते ॥ ८ ॥

yat-sannidhāv aham u khāṇḍavam agnaye ’dām

indraṁ ca sāmara-gaṇaṁ tarasā vijitya

labdhā sabhā maya-kṛtādbhuta-śilpa-māyā

digbhyo ’haran nṛpatayo balim adhvare te

Translation

Because He was near me, it was possible for me to conquer with great dexterity the powerful King of heaven, Indradeva, along with his demigod associates and thus enable the fire-god to devastate the Khāṇḍava Forest. And only by His grace was the demon named Maya saved from the blazing Khāṇḍava Forest, and thus we could build our assembly house of wonderful architectural workmanship, where all the princes assembled during the performance of Rājasūya-yajña and paid you tributes.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Devotee’s Mercy Opens Service

  1. 1

    Maya took shelter of Arjuna when threatened by the fire and Lord Kṛṣṇa’s wheel. Both ceased pursuing him when they saw that Arjuna had given him protection.

  2. 2

    Maya wished to repay Arjuna, but Arjuna declined anything in exchange. Kṛṣṇa, pleased that Maya had taken shelter of a devotee, asked him to build an assembly house for King Yudhiṣṭhira.

  3. 3

    By a devotee’s grace, one obtains the Lord’s mercy. By the Lord’s mercy, one receives an opportunity to serve His devotee.

Key points from the purport
  • The demon Maya Dānava was an inhabitant of the forest Khāṇḍava, and when the Khāṇḍava Forest was set on fire, he asked protection from Arjuna.
  • Both the fire and the Lord ceased from chasing the demon as soon as both of them saw that the demon was given shelter by such a devotee as Arjuna.
  • Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, however, being pleased with Maya for his taking shelter of a devotee, asked him to render service unto King Yudhiṣṭhira by building a wonderful assembly house.

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

Bereavement → Renunciation. The worldly support system recedes and attachment is exposed.

Chapters 13–15 of Canto 1: Dhṛtarāṣṭra departs; Kṛṣṇa disappears; Pāṇḍavas retire. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 15: The Pāṇḍavas Retire Timely

Arjuna grieves over Kṛṣṇa’s departure, and the Pāṇḍavas retire, fixing their minds on His lotus feet.

Back to this verse in chapter 1.15
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yatwhose
  2. sannidhaubeing nearby
  3. ahammyself
  4. unote of astonishment
  5. khāṇḍavamthe protected forest of Indra, King of heaven
  6. agnayeunto the fire-god
  7. adāmdelivered
  8. indramIndra
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 1.15

    In this verse: “grace”, “mercy”

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 1.15

    In this verse: “saved”, “protection”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 1.15

    In this verse: “maya”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How could gratitude for a devotee’s kindness become an opportunity for service?

Practice

Offer one small, practical help to a devotee today as an expression of gratitude.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Devotee’s Mercy Opens ServiceThis 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 1.15.8? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories