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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

8.12.25 8.12.27

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.12.26

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

सा तमायान्तमालोक्य विवस्त्रा व्रीडिता भृशम् । निलीयमाना वृक्षेषु हसन्ती नान्वतिष्ठत ॥ २६ ॥

sā tam āyāntam ālokya

vivastrā vrīḍitā bhṛśam

nilīyamānā vṛkṣeṣu

hasantī nānvatiṣṭhata

Translation

The beautiful woman was already naked, and when She saw Lord Śiva coming toward Her, She became extremely bashful. Thus She kept smiling, but She hid Herself among the trees and did not stand in one place.

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.

She Hides as Lord Śiva Approaches

1
Seeing Lord Śiva coming toward Her, the unclothed woman became extremely bashful.
2
She continued smiling while hiding Herself among the trees.
3
She did not remain standing in one place.

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:

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

2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

sāthat woman
tamLord Śiva
āyāntamwho was coming near
ālokyaseeing
vivastrāShe was naked
vrīḍitāvery bashful
bhṛśamso much
nilīyamānāwas hiding

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

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 does noticing both Her smile and Her withdrawal help you read this scene carefully?

Practice

Reread the verse and name both responses it describes: smiling and hiding.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayShe Hides as Lord Śiva ApproachesThis 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 8.12.26? Get an answer from the verses themselves.

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