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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
8.15.338.15.35

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.15.34

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 8.15.32inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

तं विश्वजयिनं शिष्यं भृगव: शिष्यवत्सला: ।

शतेन हयमेधानामनुव्रतमयाजयन् ॥ ३४ ॥

taṁ viśva-jayinaṁ śiṣyaṁ

bhṛgavaḥ śiṣya-vatsalāḥ

śatena hayamedhānām

anuvratam ayājayan

Translation

The brāhmaṇa descendants of Bhṛgu, being very pleased with their disciple, who had conquered the entire universe, now engaged him in performing one hundred aśvamedha sacrifices.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Conquest Alone Did Not Secure Bali’s Position

  1. 1

    The brāhmaṇa descendants of Bhṛgu were very pleased with their disciple, who had conquered the entire universe. They engaged him in performing one hundred aśvamedha sacrifices.

  2. 2

    Indra had become King of heaven because of such great sacrifices. The brāhmaṇas understood that Bali Mahārāja could not remain on Indra’s throne unless he performed such sacrifices.

  3. 3

    They therefore advised Bali Mahārāja to perform at least as many aśvamedha-yajñas as Indra. The word ayājayan indicates that all the brāhmaṇas induced him to perform them.

Key points from the purport
  • We have seen in the dispute between Mahārāja Pṛthu and Indra that when Mahārāja Pṛthu wanted to perform one hundred aśvamedha-yajñas, Indra wanted to impede him, for it is because of such great sacrifices that Indra was made King of heaven.
  • Here the brāhmaṇa descendants of Bhṛgu decided that although Mahārāja Bali was situated on the throne of Indra, he would not be able to stay there unless he performed such sacrifices.
  • Therefore they advised Mahārāja Bali to perform at least as many aśvamedha-yajñas as Indra.

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:

The descendants of Bhṛgu Muni, being very affectionate to their disciple Bali Mahārāja, engaged him in performing one hundred aśvamedha-yajñas. In this way, Bali enjoyed the opulences of the heavenly planets.
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. tamunto him (Bali Mahārāja)
  2. viśva-jayinamthe conqueror of the entire universe
  3. śiṣyambecause of his being a disciple
  4. bhṛgavaḥthe brāhmaṇas, descendants of Bhṛgu like Śukrācārya
  5. śiṣya-vatsalāḥbeing very pleased with the disciple
  6. śatenaby one hundred
  7. haya-medhānāmsacrifices known as aśvamedha
  8. anuvratamfollowing the instruction of the brāhmaṇas
  9. ayājayancaused to execute
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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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 8.15

    In this verse: “king”

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 willing am I to receive guidance even after achieving success?

Practice

Recall one helpful instruction you have received, and take one small step to follow it today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 8.15's connections

Live this todayConquest Alone Did Not Secure Bali’s PositionThis 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 8.15.34? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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