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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
8.15.318.15.33

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.15.32

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 8.15.32inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

एवं सुमन्त्रितार्थास्ते गुरुणार्थानुदर्शिना ।

हित्वा त्रिविष्टपं जग्मुर्गीर्वाणा: कामरूपिण: ॥ ३२ ॥

evaṁ sumantritārthās te

guruṇārthānudarśinā

hitvā tri-viṣṭapaṁ jagmur

gīrvāṇāḥ kāma-rūpiṇaḥ

Translation

Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: The demigods, being thus advised by Bṛhaspati for their benefit, immediately accepted his words. Assuming forms according to their desire, they left the heavenly kingdom and scattered, without being observed by the demons.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Act on Beneficial Spiritual Guidance

  1. 1

    Bṛhaspati advised the demigods for their benefit, and they immediately accepted his words.

  2. 2

    They left the heavenly kingdom and scattered without being observed by the demons.

  3. 3

    The word kāma-rūpiṇaḥ indicates that the demigods can assume any form they desire. Remaining unrecognized was therefore not difficult for them.

Key points from the purport
  • The word kāma-rūpiṇaḥ indicates that the demigods, the inhabitants of the heavenly planets, can assume any form they desire.
  • Thus it was not at all difficult for them to remain incognito before the eyes of the demons.

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

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:

Under the circumstances, Bṛhaspati advised the demigods to leave the heavenly planets and keep themselves somewhere invisible. The demigods followed his orders, and Bali Mahārāja, along with his associates, gained the entire kingdom of Indra.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 8.15
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. evamthus
  2. su-mantritabeing well advised
  3. arthāḥabout duties
  4. tethey (the demigods)
  5. guruṇāby their spiritual master
  6. artha-anudarśināwhose instructions were quite befitting
  7. hitvāgiving up
  8. tri-viṣṭapamthe heavenly kingdom
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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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 8.15

    In this verse: “kingdom”

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 readily do I put beneficial spiritual guidance into practice?

Practice

Act today on one beneficial spiritual instruction you have already received.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayAct on Beneficial Spiritual GuidanceThis 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 8.15.32? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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