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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 14: The System of Universal Management
8.14.98.14.11

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.14.10

Āśraya· The supreme shelter
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 8.14.2inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

स्तूयमानो जनैरेभिर्मायया नामरूपया ।

विमोहितात्मभिर्नानादर्शनैर्न च द‍ृश्यते ॥ १० ॥

stūyamāno janair ebhir

māyayā nāma-rūpayā

vimohitātmabhir nānā-

darśanair na ca dṛśyate

Translation

People in general are bewildered by the illusory energy, and therefore they try to find the Absolute Truth, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, through various types of research and philosophical speculation. Nonetheless, they are unable to see the Supreme Lord.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Accept Kṛṣṇa and Chant His Glories

  1. 1

    The creation, maintenance and annihilation of the material world are brought about by one Supreme Person. Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is the origin of everything and the cause of all causes.

  2. 2

    Bewildered by the Lord’s illusory energy, philosophers search for the ultimate cause under different names and forms. Yet their research and speculation do not enable them to find Him.

  3. 3

    Devotees accept the Supreme Personality of Godhead as He is. They remain happy simply by chanting His glories.

Key points from the purport
  • Whatever actions and reactions take place for the creation, maintenance and annihilation of this material world are actually brought about by the one Supreme Person.
  • This inability is due to the illusory energy of the Supreme Lord.
  • Devotees, therefore, accept the Supreme Personality of Godhead as He is and remain happy simply by chanting the glories of the Lord.

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

Uncertainty → Cosmic order. The narrative resets the frame to cyclical cosmic governance.

Chapters 13–14 of Canto 8: Manus and universal management. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 14: The System of Universal Management

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

One may argue, “If the all-powerful Supreme Personality of Godhead can do anything simply by His will, why has He arranged for so many personalities to manage?” How and why He does this cannot be understood by those who are under the clutches of māyā.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 8.14
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. stūyamānaḥbeing sought
  2. janaiḥby people in general
  3. ebhiḥby all of them
  4. māyayāunder the influence of māyā
  5. nāma-rūpayāpossessing different names and forms
  6. vimohitabewildered
  7. ātmabhiḥby illusion
  8. nānāvarious
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Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Āśraya · The summum bonum

    Who is the shelter of everything? · Subject 10 of 10

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 8.14

    In this verse: “philosophical”, “absolute truth”, “philosophers”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 8.14

    In this verse: “material”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 8.14

    In this verse: “devotees”

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 can I give more attention to accepting Kṛṣṇa and glorifying Him rather than relying on speculation?

Practice

Spend a few minutes chanting Kṛṣṇa’s glories, remembering Him as the origin of everything.

Live this todayAccept Kṛṣṇa and Chant His GloriesThis 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 8.14.10? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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