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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 11: King Indra Annihilates the Demons
8.11.178.11.19

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.11.18

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

सेहे रुजं सुदुर्मर्षां सत्त्वमालम्ब्य मातलि: ।

इन्द्रो जम्भस्य सङ्‌क्रुद्धो वज्रेणापाहरच्छिर: ॥ १८ ॥

sehe rujaṁ sudurmarṣāṁ

sattvam ālambya mātaliḥ

indro jambhasya saṅkruddho

vajreṇāpāharac chiraḥ

Translation

Although the pain was extremely severe, Mātali tolerated it with great patience. Indra, however, became extremely angry at Jambhāsura. He struck Jambhāsura with his thunderbolt and thus severed his head from his body.

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.

Mātali Shows Great Patience in Pain

  1. 1

    Although his pain was extremely severe, Mātali tolerated it with great patience.

  2. 2

    Indra, however, became extremely angry at Jambhāsura.

  3. 3

    Indra struck Jambhāsura with his thunderbolt and severed his head from his body.

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 11: King Indra Annihilates the Demons

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

The thunderbolt, however, returned unsuccessful, and thus Indra became morose. At that time, an unseen voice came from the sky.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 8.11
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. sehetolerated
  2. rujamthe pain
  3. su-durmarṣāmintolerable
  4. sattvampatience
  5. ālambyataking shelter of
  6. mātaliḥthe charioteer Mātali
  7. indraḥKing Indra
  8. jambhasyaof the great demon Jambha
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 stands out to me in the contrast between Mātali’s patience and Indra’s anger?

Practice

When a small discomfort arises today, pause patiently before reacting.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayMātali Shows Great Patience in PainThis 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 8.11.18? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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