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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
8.11.298.11.31

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.11.30

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

अश्मसारमयं शूलं घण्टावद्धेमभूषणम् ।

प्रगृह्याभ्यद्रवत् क्रुद्धो हतोऽसीति वितर्जयन् ।

प्राहिणोद् देवराजाय निनदन् मृगराडिव ॥ ३० ॥

aśmasāramayaṁ śūlaṁ

ghaṇṭāvad dhema-bhūṣaṇam

pragṛhyābhyadravat kruddho

hato ’sīti vitarjayan

prāhiṇod deva-rājāya

ninadan mṛga-rāḍ iva

Translation

Being angry and roaring like a lion, the demon Namuci took up a steel spear, which was bound with bells and decorated with ornaments of gold. He loudly cried, “Now you are killed!” Thus coming before Indra to kill him, Namuci released his weapon.

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.

Namuci’s Anger Becomes a Threatening Attack

  1. 1

    Angry and roaring like a lion, Namuci took up a steel spear.

  2. 2

    The spear was bound with bells and decorated with ornaments of gold.

  3. 3

    He loudly cried, “Now you are killed!” Then he came before Indra and released his weapon to kill him.

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:

Using a weapon of foam, he was able to kill Namuci. Thus Indra and the other demigods killed many demons.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 8.11
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. aśmasāra-mayammade of steel
  2. śūlama spear
  3. ghaṇṭā-vatbound with bells
  4. hema-bhūṣaṇamdecorated with ornaments of gold
  5. pragṛhyataking in his hand
  6. abhyadravatforcefully went
  7. kruddhaḥin an angry mood
  8. hataḥ asi itinow you are killed
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

  • Viraha · Longing in separation

    Love and remembrance experienced in apparent absence. · Theme in SB 8.11

    In this verse: “cried”

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

How do Namuci’s words and actions reveal the force of his anger?

Practice

If anger arises today, pause before speaking and avoid threatening words.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayNamuci’s Anger Becomes a Threatening AttackThis 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 8.11.30? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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