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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
8.12.388.12.40

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.12.39

Ūti· What drives us to act
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

को नु मेऽतितरेन्मायां विषक्तस्त्वद‍ृते पुमान् । तांस्तान्विसृजतीं भावान्दुस्तरामकृतात्मभि: ॥ ३९ ॥

ko nu me ’titaren māyāṁ

viṣaktas tvad-ṛte pumān

tāṁs tān visṛjatīṁ bhāvān

dustarām akṛtātmabhiḥ

Translation

My dear Lord Śambhu, who within this material world but you can surpass My illusory energy? People are generally attached to sense enjoyment and conquered by its influence. Indeed, the influence of material nature is very difficult for them to surmount.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Lord Śiva’s Unique Position Beyond Māyā

  1. 1

    People attached to sense enjoyment are generally conquered by the Lord’s illusory energy. Its influence is very difficult for those without sense control to overcome.

  2. 2

    Although Lord Śiva associates with māyā, he is not affected by her. The purport distinguishes his position from that of living entities swayed by māyā.

  3. 3

    Lord Śiva is neither viṣṇu-tattva nor jīva-tattva. His position is between the two.

Key points from the purport
  • But even though Lord Śiva associates with māyā, he is not influenced.
  • The living entities are affected by māyā, but although Lord Śiva apparently associates with māyā, he is not affected.
  • In other words, all living entities within this material world except for Lord Śiva are swayed by māyā.

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 demonstrates that by the power of the Lord’s external energy, everyone is captivated by the form of woman in this material world. Again, however, by the grace of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, one can overcome the influence of māyā.
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. kaḥwhat
  2. nuindeed
  3. meMy
  4. atitaretcan surpass
  5. māyāmillusory energy
  6. viṣaktaḥattached to material sense enjoyment
  7. tvat-ṛteexcept for you
  8. pumānperson
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 8.12

    In this verse: “attached”, “material”, “māyā”

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

Which attachment reminds me that I should not underestimate māyā’s influence?

Practice

Identify one unnecessary sense pleasure and refrain from it once today as a small exercise in restraint.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayLord Śiva’s Unique Position Beyond MāyāThis 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 8.12.39? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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