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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

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

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How to study this verse, in six steps

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
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

8.16.34 8.16.36

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.16.35

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:Śrī Kaśyapa Munisince 8.16.24inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

नमो मरकतश्यामवपुषेऽधिगतश्रिये ।

केशवाय नमस्तुभ्यं नमस्ते पीतवाससे ॥ ३५ ॥

namo marakata-śyāma-

vapuṣe ’dhigata-śriye

keśavāya namas tubhyaṁ

namas te pīta-vāsase

Translation

My Lord, I offer my respectful obeisances unto You, who are dressed in yellow garments, whose bodily hue resembles the marakata gem, and who have full control over the goddess of fortune. O my Lord Keśava, I offer my respectful obeisances unto You.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Offer Obeisances to Beautiful Keśava

1
The prayer describes the Lord dressed in yellow garments.
2
His bodily hue resembles the marakata gem. These details give a clear focus for remembering His form.
3
Lord Keśava has full control over the goddess of fortune. The prayer repeatedly offers Him respectful obeisances.

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

Chapter 16: Executing the Payo-vrata Process of Worship

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

She wanted all good fortune for her sons. Moved by Aditi’s request, Kaśyapa Muni instructed her in the philosophy of self-realization, the difference between matter and spirit, and how to be unaffected by material loss.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in chapter 8.16