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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
8.11.478.12.1-2

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.11.48

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 8.11.45inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

बलिश्चोशनसा स्पृष्ट: प्रत्यापन्नेन्द्रियस्मृति: ।

पराजितोऽपि नाखिद्यल्ल‍ोकतत्त्वविचक्षण: ॥ ४८ ॥

baliś cośanasā spṛṣṭaḥ

pratyāpannendriya-smṛtiḥ

parājito ’pi nākhidyal

loka-tattva-vicakṣaṇaḥ

Translation

Bali Mahārāja was very experienced in universal affairs. When he regained his senses and memory by the grace of Śukrācārya, he could understand everything that had happened. Therefore, although he had been defeated, he did not lament.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Serve Kṛṣṇa Without Attachment to Victory

  1. 1

    By the grace of Śukrācārya, Bali Mahārāja regained his senses and memory and understood what had happened. Although defeated, he did not lament.

  2. 2

    As an experienced devotee, he knew that nothing can happen without the sanction of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He therefore accepted his defeat without lamentation.

  3. 3

    Everyone in Kṛṣṇa consciousness should perform duty as ordered by Kṛṣṇa or His representative, the spiritual master, without regard for victory or defeat. First-class devotional service means always abiding by the orders and will of Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Key points from the purport
  • It is significant that Bali Mahārāja is here said to be very experienced.
  • Although defeated, he was not at all sorry, for he knew that nothing can take place without the sanction of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
  • One must execute his duty as ordered by Kṛṣṇa or His representative, the spiritual master.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 1

The purport of SB 8.11.48 quotesBG 2.47

As stated by the Supreme Personality of Godhead in Bhagavad-gītā (2.47), karmaṇy evādhikāras te mā phaleṣu kadācana.

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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:

Following the instructions of Nārada, whatever demons remained alive on the battlefield took Bali Mahārāja to Asta Mountain. There, by the touch of Śukrācārya’s hand, Bali Mahārāja regained his senses and consciousness, and those demons whose heads and bodies had not been completely lost were brought back to life by the mystic power of Śukrācārya.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 8.11
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. baliḥMahārāja Bali
  2. caalso
  3. uśanasāby Śukrācārya
  4. spṛṣṭaḥbeing touched
  5. pratyāpannawas brought back
  6. indriya-smṛtiḥrealization of the actions of the senses and memory
  7. parājitaḥhe was defeated
  8. apialthough
  9. na akhidyathe did not lament
  10. loka-tattva-vicakṣaṇaḥbecause he was very experienced in universal affairs
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 8.11

    In this verse: “grace”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 8.11

    In this verse: “devotional service”, “devotee”

  • Viraha · Longing in separation

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

    In this verse: “lament”

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 could Bali Mahārāja’s acceptance of defeat help you remain steady in devotional service?

Practice

Carry out one devotional duty today with care, focusing on following Kṛṣṇa’s guidance rather than measuring your success.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 8.11's connections

Live this todayServe Kṛṣṇa Without Attachment to VictoryThis 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 8.11.48? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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