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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 15: Bali Mahārāja Conquers the Heavenly Planets
8.15.198.15.21

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.15.20

Sthāna· The universe in order
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 8.15.3inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

मुक्तावितानैर्मणिहेमकेतुभि-

र्नानापताकावलभीभिरावृताम् ।

शिखण्डिपारावतभृङ्गनादितां

वैमानिकस्त्रीकलगीतमङ्गलाम् ॥ २० ॥

muktā-vitānair maṇi-hema-ketubhir

nānā-patākā-valabhībhir āvṛtām

śikhaṇḍi-pārāvata-bhṛṅga-nāditāṁ

vaimānika-strī-kala-gīta-maṅgalām

Translation

The city was shaded by canopies decorated with pearls, and the domes of the palaces had flags of pearl and gold. The city always resounded with the vibrations of peacocks, pigeons and bees, and above the city flew airplanes full of beautiful women who constantly chanted auspicious songs that were very pleasing to the ear.

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.

A City of Auspicious Sounds

  1. 1

    Canopies decorated with pearls shaded the city. The palace domes bore flags of pearl and gold.

  2. 2

    The city always resounded with the sounds of peacocks, pigeons and bees.

  3. 3

    Airplanes full of beautiful women flew above the city. The women constantly sang auspicious songs that were pleasing to hear.

How it feels

Loss and hope → Revelation. A shift in fortune sets up a spiritual test.

Chapters 15–18 of Canto 8: Bali, Aditi and Vāmana's appearance. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 15: Bali Mahārāja Conquers the Heavenly Planets

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Bali Mahārāja, after offering obeisances to Prahlāda, the brāhmaṇas and his spiritual master, Śukrācārya, equipped himself to fight with Indra and went to Indrapurī with his soldiers. Blowing his conchshell, he attacked the outskirts of Indra’s kingdom.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 8.15
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. muktā-vitānaiḥby canopies decorated with pearls
  2. maṇi-hema-ketubhiḥwith flags made with pearls and gold
  3. nānā-patākāpossessing various kinds of flags
  4. valabhībhiḥwith the domes of the palaces
  5. āvṛtāmcovered
  6. śikhaṇḍiof birds like peacocks
  7. pārāvatapigeons
  8. bhṛṅgabees
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Sthāna · Planetary systems

    How is the universe arranged, and what is our right place in it? · Subject 3 of 10

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 8.15

    In this verse: “chanted”

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

How do the sounds of living creatures and singing enrich this description?

Practice

Make two short lists from the verse: what could be seen and what could be heard.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayA City of Auspicious SoundsThis 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 8.15.20? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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