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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 16: Executing the Payo-vrata Process of Worship
8.16.228.16.24

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.16.23

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śrīmatī Aditisince 8.16.22inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

आदिश त्वं द्विजश्रेष्ठ विधिं तदुपधावनम् ।

आशु तुष्यति मे देव: सीदन्त्या: सह पुत्रकै: ॥ २३ ॥

ādiśa tvaṁ dvija-śreṣṭha

vidhiṁ tad-upadhāvanam

āśu tuṣyati me devaḥ

sīdantyāḥ saha putrakaiḥ

Translation

O best of the brāhmaṇas, kindly instruct me in the perfect method of worshiping the Supreme Personality of Godhead in devotional service, by which the Lord may very soon be pleased with me and save me, along with my sons, from this most dangerous condition.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Accept a Guru for Spiritual Direction

  1. 1

    One who seriously desires spiritual advancement must accept a guru for proper direction in devotional service.

  2. 2

    The ācārya is the representative of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and should be worshiped. Scripture and the practical behavior of devotees establish the need for a guru.

  3. 3

    Aditi accepted her husband as her guru. She asked him how to advance in devotional service by worshiping the Supreme Lord.

Key points from the purport
  • Sometimes less intelligent men ask whether one has to approach a guru to be instructed in devotional service for spiritual advancement.
  • The Lord says that one must worship the ācārya, who is the representative of the Supreme Personality of Godhead (ācāryaṁ māṁ vijānīyāt).
  • Aditi accepted her husband as her guru, so that he would direct her how to advance in spiritual consciousness, devotional service, by worshiping the Supreme 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

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 16: Executing the Payo-vrata Process of Worship

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

After Aditi informed Kaśyapa Muni about the āśrama’s well-being, she told him that she was lamenting for the absence of her sons. She then requested him to tell her how her sons could return and reoccupy their positions.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 8.16
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. ādiśajust instruct me
  2. tvamO my husband
  3. dvija-śreṣṭhaO best of the brāhmaṇas
  4. vidhimthe regulative principles
  5. tatthe Lord
  6. upadhāvanamthe process of worshiping
  7. āśuvery soon
  8. tuṣyatibecomes satisfied
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 8.16

    In this verse: “devotional service”, “worshiping”, “devotees”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 8.16

    In this verse: “kindly”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 8.16

    In this verse: “dangerous”

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 direction in devotional service?

Practice

Set aside a few minutes to study an instruction on devotional service from the spiritual master.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayAccept a Guru for Spiritual DirectionThis 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 8.16.23? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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