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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

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

8.11.35 8.11.37

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.11.36

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

सोऽयं प्रतिहतो वज्रो मया मुक्तोऽसुरेऽल्पके ।

नाहं तदाददे दण्डं ब्रह्मतेजोऽप्यकारणम् ॥ ३६ ॥

so ’yaṁ pratihato vajro

mayā mukto ’sure ’lpake

nāhaṁ tad ādade daṇḍaṁ

brahma-tejo ’py akāraṇam

Translation

But now, although the same thunderbolt has been released against a less important demon, it has been ineffectual. Therefore, although it was as good as a brahmāstra, it has now become useless like an ordinary rod. I shall therefore hold it no longer.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

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.

Indra Loses Confidence in His Weapon

1
Indra thought that his thunderbolt had become ineffectual against a less important demon.
2
Although it had been as powerful as a brahmāstra, he now compared it to an ordinary, useless rod.
3
Discouraged by its failure, Indra declared that he would hold the thunderbolt no longer.

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:

Then, at the request of Lord Brahmā, Nārada went to the demigods and forbade them to kill the demons any longer. All the demigods then returned to their abodes.

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