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

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Canto 8 · Withdrawal of the Cosmic Creations · 24 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 8 · Chapter 1: The Manus, Administrators of the Universe
8.1.208.1.22

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.1.21

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 8.1.17inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

ऋषेस्तु वेदशिरसस्तुषिता नाम पत्‍न्यभूत् ।

तस्यां जज्ञे ततो देवो विभुरित्यभिविश्रुत: ॥ २१ ॥

ṛṣes tu vedaśirasas

tuṣitā nāma patny abhūt

tasyāṁ jajñe tato devo

vibhur ity abhiviśrutaḥ

Translation

Vedaśirā was a very celebrated ṛṣi. From the womb of his wife, whose name was Tuṣitā, came the avatāra named Vibhu.

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.

The Appearance of Vibhu

  1. 1

    Vedaśirā was a very celebrated ṛṣi, or sage.

  2. 2

    His wife’s name was Tuṣitā.

  3. 3

    The avatāra named Vibhu appeared from Tuṣitā’s womb.

How it feels

Helplessness → Surrender and rescue. A mighty animal finally realizes the limits of strength.

Chapters 1–4 of Canto 8: Gajendra's struggle and prayers. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 1: The Manus, Administrators of the Universe

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Among them was Vedaśirā, whose wife, Tuṣitā, gave birth to Vibhu. Vibhu instructed eighty-eight thousand dṛḍha-vratas, or saintly persons, on self-control and austerity.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 8.1
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. ṛṣeḥof the saintly person
  2. tuindeed
  3. vedaśirasaḥVedaśirā
  4. tuṣitāTuṣitā
  5. nāmanamed
  6. patnīthe wife
  7. abhūtbegat
  8. tasyāmin her (womb)
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Īśānukathā · The science of God

    Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 of 10

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

What details of Vibhu’s appearance can I recall after reading this verse carefully?

Practice

Write one sentence naming Vibhu, Vedaśirā and Tuṣitā and their relationship.

Live this todayThe Appearance of VibhuThis 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 8.1.21? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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