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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.
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Canto 8 · Chapter 10: The Battle Between the Demigods and the Demons
8.10.538.10.55

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.10.54

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 8.10.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

तत: सुपर्णांसकृताङ्‍‍घ्रिपल्ल‍व:

पिशङ्गवासा नवकञ्जलोचन: ।

अद‍ृश्यताष्टायुधबाहुरुल्ल‍स-

च्छ्रीकौस्तुभानर्घ्यकिरीटकुण्डल: ॥ ५४ ॥

tataḥ suparṇāṁsa-kṛtāṅghri-pallavaḥ

piśaṅga-vāsā nava-kañja-locanaḥ

adṛśyatāṣṭāyudha-bāhur ullasac-

chrī-kaustubhānarghya-kirīṭa-kuṇḍalaḥ

Translation

The Supreme Personality of Godhead, whose eyes resemble the petals of a newly blossomed lotus, sat on the back of Garuḍa, spreading His lotus feet over Garuḍa’s shoulders. Dressed in yellow, decorated by the Kaustubha gem and the goddess of fortune, and wearing an invaluable helmet and earrings, the Supreme Lord, holding various weapons in His eight hands, became visible to the demigods.

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 Supreme Lord Becomes Visible

  1. 1

    The Supreme Personality of Godhead sat on Garuḍa, with His lotus feet spread over Garuḍa’s shoulders. His eyes resembled the petals of a newly blossomed lotus.

  2. 2

    He wore yellow garments, an invaluable helmet and earrings, and was decorated by the Kaustubha gem and the goddess of fortune.

  3. 3

    Holding various weapons in His eight hands, the Supreme Lord became visible to the demigods.

How it feels

Danger and ambition → Divine rescue and surprise. Cooperation, rivalry and revelation alternate rapidly.

Chapters 5–12 of Canto 8: Churning the ocean, poison and nectar. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 10: The Battle Between the Demigods and the Demons

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Heroes among the demons such as Kālanemi, Mālī, Sumālī and Mālyavān fought the Supreme Personality of Godhead and were all killed by the Lord. The demigods were thus freed from all dangers.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 8.10
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tataḥthereafter
  2. suparṇa-aṁsa-kṛta-aṅghri-pallavaḥthe Supreme Personality of Godhead, whose lotus feet spread over the two shoulders of Garuḍa
  3. piśaṅga-vāsāḥwhose dress is yellow
  4. nava-kañja-locanaḥand whose eyes are just like the petals of a newly blossomed lotus
  5. adṛśyatabecame visible (in the presence of the demigods)
  6. aṣṭa-āyudhaequipped with eight kinds of weapons
  7. bāhuḥarms
  8. ullasatbrilliantly exhibiting
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

Which detail of the Supreme Lord’s appearance helps you focus your remembrance of Him?

Practice

Spend one minute remembering the Supreme Lord’s form as described here, keeping your attention on the details in the verse.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Supreme Lord Becomes VisibleThis 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 8.10.54? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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