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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.
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Canto 8 · Chapter 12: The Mohinī-mūrti Incarnation Bewilders Lord Śiva
8.12.318.12.33

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.12.32

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

तस्यानुधावतो रेतश्चस्कन्दामोघरेतस: । शुष्मिणो यूथपस्येव वासितामनुधावत: ॥ ३२ ॥

tasyānudhāvato retaś

caskandāmogha-retasaḥ

śuṣmiṇo yūthapasyeva

vāsitām anudhāvataḥ

Translation

Just as a maddened bull elephant follows a female elephant who is able to conceive pregnancy, Lord Śiva followed the beautiful woman and discharged semen, even though his discharge of semen never goes in vain.

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.

Lord Śiva’s Intense Pursuit

  1. 1

    Lord Śiva followed the beautiful woman with intense attraction.

  2. 2

    The translation compares his pursuit to a maddened bull elephant following a female elephant able to conceive.

  3. 3

    While following her, Lord Śiva discharged semen. The verse emphasizes that his discharge never goes in vain.

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 summaryBack to this verse in chapter 8.12
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tasyaof him (Lord Śiva)
  2. anudhāvataḥwho was following
  3. retaḥthe semen
  4. caskandadischarged
  5. amogha-retasaḥof that person whose discharge of semen never goes in vain
  6. śuṣmiṇaḥmad
  7. yūthapasyaof a male elephant
  8. ivajust like
  9. vāsitāmto a female elephant able to conceive pregnancy
  10. anudhāvataḥfollowing
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

What does the elephant comparison convey about the intensity of Lord Śiva’s pursuit?

Practice

Read the translation slowly and identify the comparison used to describe Lord Śiva’s pursuit.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayLord Śiva’s Intense PursuitThis 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 8.12.32? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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