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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

8.11.38 8.11.40

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.11.39

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

तां दैवीं गिरमाकर्ण्य मघवान्सुसमाहित: ।

ध्यायन् फेनमथापश्यदुपायमुभयात्मकम् ॥ ३९ ॥

tāṁ daivīṁ giram ākarṇya

maghavān susamāhitaḥ

dhyāyan phenam athāpaśyad

upāyam ubhayātmakam

Translation

After hearing the ominous voice, Indra, with great attention, began to meditate on how to kill the demon. He then saw that foam would be the means, for it is neither moist nor dry.

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.

Careful Attention Reveals Another Means

1
After hearing the ominous voice, Indra gave the matter great attention.
2
He began to meditate on how to kill the demon under the stated conditions.
3
He then saw that foam would be the means, because it was neither moist nor dry.

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.

tāmthat
daivīmominous
giramvoice
ākarṇyaafter hearing
maghavānLord Indra
su-samāhitaḥbecoming very careful
dhyāyanmeditating
phenamappearance of foam

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
Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting
Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 8.11
In this verse: “hearing”

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

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Do I give careful thought to what I have heard before acting?

Practice

Spend two quiet minutes considering the conditions of one problem before choosing your next step.

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayCareful Attention Reveals Another MeansThis 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 8.11.39? 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