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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 12: The Mohinī-mūrti Incarnation Bewilders Lord Śiva

8.12.19 8.12.21

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.12.20

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 8.12.17inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

दिक्षु भ्रमत्कन्दुकचापलैर्भृशंप्रोद्विग्नतारायतलोललोचनाम् । स्वकर्णविभ्राजितकुण्डलोल्ल‍सत्-कपोलनीलालकमण्डिताननाम् ॥ २० ॥

dikṣu bhramat-kanduka-cāpalair bhṛśaṁ

prodvigna-tārāyata-lola-locanām

sva-karṇa-vibhrājita-kuṇḍalollasat-

kapola-nīlālaka-maṇḍitānanām

Translation

The woman’s face was decorated by broad, beautiful, restless eyes, which moved as the ball bounced here and there from Her hand. The two brilliant earrings on Her ears decorated Her shining cheeks like bluish reflections, and the hair scattered on Her face made Her even more beautiful to see.

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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.

Beauty That Draws the Eyes

1
The woman’s broad, beautiful eyes moved restlessly as the ball bounced here and there.
2
Her brilliant earrings decorated Her shining cheeks with bluish reflections.
3
The hair scattered across Her face made Her even more beautiful to see.

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 12: The Mohinī-mūrti Incarnation Bewilders Lord Śiva

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Therefore, to fulfill the desire of His devotee Lord Śiva, He expanded His energy and manifested Himself in the form of a very beautiful and attractive woman. Upon seeing this form, even Lord Śiva was captivated.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in chapter 8.12