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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
8.15.358.16.1

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.15.36

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
A turning point forBali Mahārāja· A powerful sovereign

बुभुजे च श्रियं स्वृद्धां द्विजदेवोपलम्भिताम् ।

कृतकृत्यमिवात्मानं मन्यमानो महामना: ॥ ३६ ॥

bubhuje ca śriyaṁ svṛddhāṁ

dvija-devopalambhitām

kṛta-kṛtyam ivātmānaṁ

manyamāno mahāmanāḥ

Translation

Because of the favor of the brāhmaṇas, the great soul Bali Mahārāja, thinking himself very satisfied, became very opulent and prosperous and began to enjoy the kingdom.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Guidance Toward Kṛṣṇa Consciousness

  1. 1

    Through the favor of the brāhmaṇas, Bali Mahārāja became very opulent and prosperous. Thinking himself very satisfied, he began to enjoy the kingdom.

  2. 2

    The brāhmaṇas are called dvija-deva, and the kṣatriyas are generally called nara-deva. The word deva actually refers to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

  3. 3

    The brāhmaṇas guide society toward happiness by satisfying Lord Viṣṇu, while the kṣatriyas maintain law and order under their advice. This allows others to follow regulative principles and gradually become elevated to Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

Key points from the purport
  • The brāhmaṇas are called dvija-deva, and kṣatriyas are generally called nara-deva.
  • The word deva actually refers to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
  • Thus end the Bhaktivedanta purports of the Eighth Canto, Fifteenth Chapter, of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, entitled “Bali Mahārāja Conquers the Heavenly Planets.”

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 demigods followed his orders, and Bali Mahārāja, along with his associates, gained the entire kingdom of Indra. The descendants of Bhṛgu Muni, being very affectionate to their disciple Bali Mahārāja, engaged him in performing one hundred aśvamedha-yajñas.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 8.15
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. bubhujeenjoyed
  2. caalso
  3. śriyamopulence
  4. su-ṛddhāmprosperity
  5. dvijaof the brāhmaṇas
  6. devaas good as the demigods
  7. upalambhitāmachieved because of the favor
  8. kṛta-kṛtyamvery satisfied by his activities
3

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: “kingdom”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 8.15

    In this verse: “favor”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 8.15

    In this verse: “principles”

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 can I make satisfying Lord Viṣṇu, rather than prosperity alone, the purpose of my activities?

Practice

Before one activity today, pause and set the intention to do it for the satisfaction of Lord Viṣṇu.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayGuidance Toward Kṛṣṇa ConsciousnessThis 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 8.15.36? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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