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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
8.12.29-308.12.32

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.12.31

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

तस्यासौ पदवीं रुद्रो विष्णोरद्भ‍ुतकर्मण: । प्रत्यपद्यत कामेन वैरिणेव विनिर्जित: ॥ ३१ ॥

tasyāsau padavīṁ rudro

viṣṇor adbhuta-karmaṇaḥ

pratyapadyata kāmena

vairiṇeva vinirjitaḥ

Translation

As if harassed by an enemy in the form of lusty desires, Lord Śiva followed the path of Lord Viṣṇu, who acts very wonderfully and who had taken the form of Mohinī.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Lord Acts Through His Wonderful Potencies

  1. 1

    Lord Śiva followed Lord Viṣṇu in the form of Mohinī, as if harassed by an enemy in the form of lusty desires.

  2. 2

    Lord Śiva cannot be victimized by māyā. The purport explains that Lord Viṣṇu’s internal potency was acting upon him.

  3. 3

    The Supreme Lord has various potencies and acts expertly without even needing to contemplate. This bewilderment was caused by Lord Viṣṇu Himself.

Key points from the purport
  • Therefore it is to be understood that Lord Śiva was being thus harassed by Lord Viṣṇu’s internal potency.
  • The Supreme Lord has various potencies, by which He can act very efficiently.
  • Since Lord Śiva was being harassed by the woman, it is to be understood that this was being done not by a woman but by Lord Viṣṇu Himself.

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

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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tasyaof He who is the Supreme Lord
  2. asauLord Śiva
  3. padavīmthe place
  4. rudraḥLord Śiva
  5. viṣṇoḥof Lord Viṣṇu
  6. adbhuta-karmaṇaḥof He who acts very wonderfully
  7. pratyapadyatabegan to follow
  8. kāmenaby lusty desire
  9. vairiṇā ivaas if by an enemy
  10. vinirjitaḥbeing harassed
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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”, “māyā”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does this account help me appreciate the Supreme Lord’s power?

Practice

Pause today to reflect on this teaching: the Supreme Lord acts expertly through His various potencies.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

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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 8.12's connections

Live this todayThe Lord Acts Through His Wonderful PotenciesThis 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 8.12.31? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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