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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
8.11.38.11.5

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.11.4

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Indrasince 8.11.4inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

नटवन्मूढ मायाभिर्मायेशान् नो जिगीषसि ।

जित्वा बालान् निबद्धाक्षान् नटो हरति तद्धनम् ॥ ४ ॥

naṭavan mūḍha māyābhir

māyeśān no jigīṣasi

jitvā bālān nibaddhākṣān

naṭo harati tad-dhanam

Translation

Indra said: O rascal, as a cheater sometimes binds the eyes of a child and takes away his possessions, you are trying to defeat us by displaying some mystic power, although you know that we are the masters of all such mystic powers.

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.

Indra Rebukes the Use of Deception

  1. 1

    Indra accused Bali Mahārāja of trying to defeat the demigods by displaying mystic power.

  2. 2

    He compared this attempt to a cheater who binds a child’s eyes and takes the child’s possessions.

  3. 3

    Indra declared that the demigods were themselves masters of such mystic powers.

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:

Then Śukrācārya, by his mystic power, renewed the lives of all the demons. Having been graced by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the demigods began fighting the demons again, with renewed energy.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 8.11
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. naṭa-vatlike a cheater or rogue
  2. mūḍhayou rascal
  3. māyābhiḥby exhibiting illusions
  4. māyā-īśānunto the demigods, who can control all such illusory manifestations
  5. naḥunto us
  6. jigīṣasiyou are trying to become victorious
  7. jitvāconquering
  8. bālānsmall children
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

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 8.11

    In this verse: “child”, “child’s”

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

Am I ever tempted to gain an advantage by misleading someone?

Practice

In one interaction today, choose a clear, honest statement rather than a misleading impression.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayIndra Rebukes the Use of DeceptionThis 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 8.11.4? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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