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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

8.12.37 8.12.39

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.12.38

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:The Supreme Personality of Godheadsince 8.12.38inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

श्रीभगवानुवाच

दिष्टय‍ा त्वं विबुधश्रेष्ठ स्वां निष्ठामात्मना स्थित: । यन्मे स्त्रीरूपया स्वैरं मोहितोऽप्यङ्ग मायया ॥ ३८ ॥

śrī-bhagavān uvāca

diṣṭyā tvaṁ vibudha-śreṣṭha

svāṁ niṣṭhām ātmanā sthitaḥ

yan me strī-rūpayā svairaṁ

mohito ’py aṅga māyayā

Translation

The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: O best of the demigods, although you have been amply harassed because of My potency in assuming the form of a woman, you are established in your position. Therefore, may all good fortune be upon you.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Faith Keeps a Devotee Steady

1
Lord Śiva is the best of the demigods and the best of devotees. The Supreme Personality of Godhead praised his exemplary character and blessed him.
2
When a devotee becomes a little proud, the Supreme Lord sometimes displays His power to remove that misunderstanding. Lord Śiva returned to his normal, unagitated condition.
3
A devotee should remain steady even in the worst reverses through full faith in the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Such pridelessness belongs to first-class devotees like Lord Śambhu.

Key points from the purport

Since Lord Śiva is the best of the demigods, he is the best of all devotees (vaiṣṇavānāṁ yathā śambhuḥ).
His exemplary character was therefore praised by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who gave His benediction by saying, “May all good fortune be upon you.”
As confirmed in Bhagavad-gītā (6.22), yasmin sthito na duḥkhena guruṇāpi vicālyate: because of his full faith in the Supreme Personality of Godhead, a devotee is never agitated, even in the greatest trials.

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

Connected verses· 1

The purport of SB 8.12.38 quotesBG 6.22

As confirmed in Bhagavad-gītā (6.22), yasmin sthito na duḥkhena guruṇāpi vicālyate: because of his full faith in the Supreme Personality of Godhead, a devotee is never agitated, even in the greatest trials.

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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

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

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

śrī-bhagavān uvācathe Supreme Personality of Godhead said
diṣṭyāall auspiciousness
tvamunto you
vibudha-śreṣṭhaO best of all the demigods
svāmin your own
niṣṭhāmfixed situation
ātmanāof your own self
sthitaḥyou are situated

Key ideas in this verse

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

Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord
How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10
Dainya · Humility
Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 8.12
In this verse: “pridelessness”, “proud”
Kṛpā · Divine mercy
Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 8.12
In this verse: “blessed”
Bhakti · Devotion and loving service
How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 8.12
In this verse: “devotees”

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

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can faith in the Supreme Lord help me remain steady during a difficulty?

Practice

When a frustration arises today, pause and remember the Supreme Lord before responding.

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayFaith Keeps a Devotee SteadyThis 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 8.12.38? Get an answer from the verses themselves.

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