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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 11: King Indra Annihilates the Demons
8.11.198.11.21

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.11.20

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

वचोभि: परुषैरिन्द्रमर्दयन्तोऽस्य मर्मसु ।

शरैरवाकिरन् मेघा धाराभिरिव पर्वतम् ॥ २० ॥

vacobhiḥ paruṣair indram

ardayanto ’sya marmasu

śarair avākiran meghā

dhārābhir iva parvatam

Translation

Rebuking Indra with harsh, cruel words that were piercing to the heart, these demons showered him with arrows, just as torrents of rain wash a great mountain.

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.

Cruel Words Pierce the Heart

  1. 1

    The demons rebuked Indra with harsh and cruel words.

  2. 2

    Their words were piercing to the heart, accompanying their physical attack.

  3. 3

    They showered Indra with arrows, just as torrents of rain wash a great mountain.

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. vacobhiḥwith harsh words
  2. paruṣaiḥvery rough and cruel
  3. indramKing Indra
  4. ardayantaḥchastising, piercing
  5. asyaof Indra
  6. marmasuin the heart, etc.
  7. śaraiḥwith arrows
  8. avākirancovered all around
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

Do I consider how deeply harsh words can hurt another person?

Practice

Before speaking a criticism today, remove any harsh or cruel wording.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayCruel Words Pierce the HeartThis 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 8.11.20? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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