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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
8.12.428.12.44

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.12.43

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Śivasince 8.12.43inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

अयि व्यपश्यस्त्वमजस्य मायांपरस्य पुंस: परदेवताया: । अहं कलानामृषभोऽपि मुह्येययावशोऽन्ये किमुतास्वतन्त्रा: ॥ ४३ ॥

ayi vyapaśyas tvam ajasya māyāṁ

parasya puṁsaḥ para-devatāyāḥ

ahaṁ kalānām ṛṣabho ’pi muhye

yayāvaśo ’nye kim utāsvatantrāḥ

Translation

Lord Śiva said: O Goddess, you have now seen the illusory energy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the unborn master of everyone. Although I am one of the principal expansions of His Lordship, even I was illusioned by His energy. What then is to be said of others, who are fully dependent on māyā?

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.

Even Lord Śiva Acknowledges Illusion

  1. 1

    The Supreme Personality of Godhead is the unborn master of everyone. The illusory energy belongs to Him.

  2. 2

    Lord Śiva openly acknowledges that even he was illusioned by the Lord’s energy, although he is one of His principal expansions.

  3. 3

    If Lord Śiva could be bewildered, others who are fully dependent on māyā have still greater reason for humility.

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:

Then he left for his own abode. Śukadeva Gosvāmī concludes this chapter by describing the transcendental qualities of Uttamaśloka, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and by declaring that one can glorify the Lord by nine kinds of devotional service, beginning with śravaṇaṁ kīrtanam.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 8.12
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. ayioh
  2. vyapaśyaḥhave seen
  3. tvamyou
  4. ajasyaof the unborn
  5. māyāmthe illusory energy
  6. parasya puṁsaḥof the Supreme Person
  7. para-devatāyāḥthe Absolute Truth
  8. ahammyself
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Īśānukathā · The science of God

    Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “illusioned”, “māyā”

  • Śaraṇāgati · Wholehearted surrender

    Relinquishing ownership while entrusting oneself to the Lord. · Theme in SB 8.12

    In this verse: “fully dependent”

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 8.12

    In this verse: “humility”

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

Where might I be too confident that illusion cannot affect me?

Practice

Pause today when you feel certain of your own judgment, and remember Lord Śiva’s humble acknowledgment.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayEven Lord Śiva Acknowledges IllusionThis 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 8.12.43? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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