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

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Canto 1 · Creation · 19 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 1 · Chapter 8: Prayers by Queen Kuntī and Parīkṣit Saved
1.8.321.8.34

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.8.33

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Queen Kuntīsince 1.8.18inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

अपरे वसुदेवस्य देवक्यां याचितोऽभ्यगात् ।

अजस्त्वमस्य क्षेमाय वधाय च सुरद्विषाम् ॥ ३३ ॥

apare vasudevasya

devakyāṁ yācito ’bhyagāt

ajas tvam asya kṣemāya

vadhāya ca sura-dviṣām

Translation

Others say that since both Vasudeva and Devakī prayed for You, You have taken Your birth as their son. Undoubtedly You are unborn, yet You take Your birth for their welfare and to kill those who are envious of the demigods.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Unborn Lord Appears for Our Welfare

  1. 1

    Vasudeva and Devakī, previously Sutapā and Pṛśni, underwent severe penance to have the Lord as their son. The Lord appeared as their son in response to those austerities.

  2. 2

    Although the Lord is unborn, He takes birth for the welfare of His devotees. His appearance answers their prayers.

  3. 3

    The Lord appears for the welfare of all people of the world. He also vanquishes the asuras, or materialistic atheists.

Key points from the purport
  • It is also said that Vasudeva and Devakī, in their previous birth as Sutapā and Pṛśni, underwent a severe type of penance to get the Lord as their son, and as a result of such austerities the Lord appeared as their son.
  • It is already declared in the Bhagavad-gītā that the Lord appears for the welfare of all people of the world and to vanquish the asuras, or the materialistic atheists.

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

Grief → Trust. Violence and bereavement make Kṛṣṇa's protective presence precious.

Chapters 7–9 of Canto 1: Postwar anguish, Kuntī and Bhīṣma. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 8: Prayers by Queen Kuntī and Parīkṣit Saved

Kṛṣṇa protects Parīkṣit, Kuntī prays for undivided attraction to Him, and Yudhiṣṭhira grieves.

Back to this verse in chapter 1.8
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. apareothers
  2. vasudevasyaof Vasudeva
  3. devakyāmof Devakī
  4. yācitaḥbeing prayed for
  5. abhyagāttook birth
  6. ajaḥunborn
  7. tvamYou are
  8. asyaof him
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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

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 1.8

    In this verse: “welfare”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 1.8

    In this verse: “devotees”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 1.8

    In this verse: “materialistic”

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does the unborn Lord’s response to His devotees’ prayers teach me about His care?

Practice

Read the translation aloud once, then offer a short prayer appreciating the Lord’s concern for everyone’s welfare.

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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.

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

Live this todayThe Unborn Lord Appears for Our WelfareThis 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 1.8.33? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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