1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter

Canto

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

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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

8.11.36 8.11.38

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.11.37

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 8.11.37inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

इति शक्रं विषीदन्तमाह वागशरीरिणी ।

नायं शुष्कैरथो नार्द्रैर्वधमर्हति दानव: ॥ ३७ ॥

iti śakraṁ viṣīdantam

āha vāg aśarīriṇī

nāyaṁ śuṣkair atho nārdrair

vadham arhati dānavaḥ

Translation

Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: While the morose Indra was lamenting in this way, an ominous, unembodied voice said from the sky, “This demon Namuci is not to be annihilated by anything dry or moist.”

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 Hears an Unexpected Explanation

1
Śukadeva Gosvāmī describes Indra as morose and lamenting.
2
While Indra lamented, an ominous, unembodied voice spoke from the sky.
3
The voice said that Namuci could not be annihilated by anything dry or moist.

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:

He then thought of foam, which is neither moist nor dry. Using a weapon of foam, he was able to kill Namuci.

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

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

itiin this way
śakramunto Indra
viṣīdantamlamenting
āhaspoke
vāka voice
aśarīriṇīwithout any body, or from the sky
nanot
ayamthis

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: “lamenting”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

When discouraged, am I still willing to hear information that changes my understanding?

Practice

In one frustrating situation today, pause your complaint and listen carefully for a relevant fact.

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayIndra Hears an Unexpected ExplanationThis 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 8.11.37? Get an answer from the verses themselves.

Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories