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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

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

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How to study this verse, in six steps

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
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 11: King Indra Annihilates the Demons

8.11.15 8.11.17

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.11.16

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 8.11.10inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

ततो रथो मातलिना हरिभिर्दशशतैर्वृत: । आनीतो द्विपमुत्सृज्य रथमारुरुहे विभु: ॥ १६ ॥

tato ratho mātalinā

haribhir daśa-śatair vṛtaḥ

ānīto dvipam utsṛjya

ratham āruruhe vibhuḥ

Translation

Thereafter, Mātali, Indra’s chariot driver, brought Indra’s chariot, which was drawn by one thousand horses. Indra then left his elephant and got onto the chariot.

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

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Mātali Brings Timely Assistance

1
Mātali, Indra’s chariot driver, brought Indra’s chariot.
2
The chariot was drawn by one thousand horses.
3
Indra left his elephant and got onto the chariot, accepting the assistance Mātali brought.

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

Chapter 11: King Indra Annihilates the Demons

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Indra, King of heaven, severed the heads of Bala and Pāka and released the weapon known as kuliśa, the thunderbolt, against Namuci’s shoulder. The thunderbolt, however, returned unsuccessful, and thus Indra became morose.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in chapter 8.11