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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.
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Canto 8 · Chapter 12: The Mohinī-mūrti Incarnation Bewilders Lord Śiva
8.12.278.12.29-30

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.12.28

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

सोऽनुव्रज्यातिवेगेन गृहीत्वानिच्छतीं स्त्रियम् । केशबन्ध उपानीय बाहुभ्यां परिषस्वजे ॥ २८ ॥

so ’nuvrajyātivegena

gṛhītvānicchatīṁ striyam

keśa-bandha upānīya

bāhubhyāṁ pariṣasvaje

Translation

After following Her with great speed, Lord Śiva caught Her by the braid of Her hair and dragged Her near him. Although She was unwilling, he embraced Her with his arms.

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.

Desire Disregards Her Unwillingness

  1. 1

    Lord Śiva followed the woman with great speed.

  2. 2

    He caught Her by the braid of Her hair and dragged Her near him.

  3. 3

    Although She was unwilling, he embraced Her with his arms.

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 was evinced by Lord Śiva, the topmost devotee of the Lord. First he was captivated, but later, by the grace of the Lord, he restrained himself.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 8.12
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. saḥLord Śiva
  2. anuvrajyafollowing Her
  3. ati-vegenawith great speed
  4. gṛhītvācatching
  5. anicchatīmalthough She was not willing to be caught
  6. striyamthe woman
  7. keśa-bandheon the cluster of hair
  8. upānīyadragging Her near
  9. bāhubhyāmwith his arms
  10. pariṣasvajeembraced Her
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

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

Why is Her unwillingness an important detail not to overlook?

Practice

In one interaction today, make room for the other person’s wishes rather than pressing your own.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDesire Disregards Her UnwillingnessThis 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 8.12.28? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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