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

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Canto 5 · The Creative Impetus · 26 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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 5.24.28

Who is speaking and story frame

ततोऽधस्तात्तलातले मयो नाम दानवेन्द्रस्त्रिपुराधिपतिर्भगवता पुरारिणा त्रिलोकीशं चिकीर्षुणा निर्दग्धस्वपुरत्रयस्तत्प्रसादाल्लब्धपदो मायाविनामाचार्यो महादेवेन परिरक्षितो विगतसुदर्शनभयो महीयते ॥ २८ ॥

tato ’dhastāt talātale mayo nāma dānavendras tri-purādhipatir bhagavatā purāriṇā tri-lokī-śaṁ cikīrṣuṇā nirdagdha-sva-pura-trayas tat-prasādāl labdha-pado māyāvinām ācāryo mahādevena parirakṣito vigata-sudarśana-bhayo mahīyate.

Translation

Beneath the planet known as Sutala is another planet, called Talātala, which is ruled by the Dānava demon named Maya. Maya is known as the ācārya [master] of all the māyāvīs, who can invoke the powers of sorcery. For the benefit of the three worlds, Lord Śiva, who is known as Tripurāri, once set fire to the three kingdoms of Maya, but later, being pleased with him, he returned his kingdom. Since that time, Maya Dānava has been protected by Lord Śiva, and therefore he falsely thinks that he need not fear the Sudarśana cakra of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Protection Does Not Justify False Confidence

  1. 1

    Talātala lies beneath Sutala and is ruled by Maya, a Dānava demon. He is the master of those who invoke the powers of sorcery.

  2. 2

    For the benefit of the three worlds, Lord Śiva burned Maya’s three kingdoms. Later, pleased with him, Lord Śiva restored his kingdom and protected him.

  3. 3

    Because of Lord Śiva’s protection, Maya falsely thinks he need not fear the Sudarśana cakra of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

How it feels

Smallness → Awe and reverence. A vast cosmos changes the reader's perspective.

Chapters 15–25 of Canto 5: The cosmic regions and divine worship. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 24: The Subterranean Heavenly Planets

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Below Sutala is the planet Talātala, the abode of the demon Maya. This demon is always materially happy because he is favored by Lord Śiva, but he cannot achieve spiritual happiness at any time.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 5.24
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tataḥthe planet known as Sutala
  2. adhastātbelow
  3. talātalein the planet known as Talātala
  4. mayaḥMaya
  5. nāmanamed
  6. dānava-indraḥthe king of the Dānava demons
  7. tri-pura-adhipatiḥthe Lord of the three cities
  8. bhagavatāby the most powerful
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Sthāna · Planetary systems

    How is the universe arranged, and what is our right place in it? · Subject 3 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 5.24

    In this verse: “maya”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 5.24

    In this verse: “fear”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 5.24

    In this verse: “kingdoms”

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

Do I ever let a position of protection or security give me false confidence?

Practice

Notice one source of personal security today and reflect that it does not place you beyond the Supreme Lord’s authority.

Live this todayProtection Does Not Justify False ConfidenceThis 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 5.24.28? Get an answer from the verses themselves.