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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 12: The Mohinī-mūrti Incarnation Bewilders Lord Śiva
8.12.248.12.26

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.12.25

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 8.12.17inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

तयापहृतविज्ञानस्तत्कृतस्मरविह्वल: । भवान्या अपि पश्यन्त्या गतह्रीस्तत्पदं ययौ ॥ २५ ॥

tayāpahṛta-vijñānas

tat-kṛta-smara-vihvalaḥ

bhavānyā api paśyantyā

gata-hrīs tat-padaṁ yayau

Translation

Lord Śiva, his good sense taken away by the woman because of lusty desires to enjoy with Her, became so mad for Her that even in the presence of Bhavānī he did not hesitate to approach Her.

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.

Lust Takes Away Good Sense

  1. 1

    Lord Śiva’s lusty desire to enjoy with the woman took away his good sense.

  2. 2

    He became so mad for Her that he did not hesitate to approach Her.

  3. 3

    Even the presence of Bhavānī did not restrain him.

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 12: The Mohinī-mūrti Incarnation Bewilders Lord Śiva

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

This demonstrates that by the power of the Lord’s external energy, everyone is captivated by the form of woman in this material world. Again, however, by the grace of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, one can overcome the influence of māyā.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 8.12
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tayāby Her
  2. apahṛtataken away
  3. vijñānaḥgood sense
  4. tat-kṛtadone by Her
  5. smaraby the smiling
  6. vihvalaḥhaving become mad for Her
  7. bhavānyāḥwhile Bhavānī, the wife of Lord Śiva
  8. apialthough
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 8.12

    In this verse: “lusty”

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

What signs tell you that a strong desire is weakening your good judgment?

Practice

When a strong desire arises today, pause before acting and consider whether you are using good sense.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayLust Takes Away Good SenseThis 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 8.12.25? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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