1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 8 · Withdrawal of the Cosmic Creations · 24 chapters

123456789101112131415161718192021222324

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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
8.16.368.16.38

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.16.37

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

अन्ववर्तन्त यं देवा: श्रीश्च तत्पादपद्मयो: ।

स्पृहयन्त इवामोदं भगवान्मे प्रसीदताम् ॥ ३७ ॥

anvavartanta yaṁ devāḥ

śrīś ca tat-pāda-padmayoḥ

spṛhayanta ivāmodaṁ

bhagavān me prasīdatām

Translation

All the demigods, as well as the goddess of fortune, engage in the service of His lotus feet. Indeed, they respect the fragrance of those lotus feet. May the Supreme Personality of Godhead be pleased with me.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

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

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Serve to Please the Supreme Lord

  1. 1

    All the demigods engage in the service of the Lord’s lotus feet.

  2. 2

    The goddess of fortune also serves His lotus feet. They respect the fragrance of those feet.

  3. 3

    The prayer asks that the Supreme Personality of Godhead be pleased. Pleasing Him is the focus of this devotional appeal.

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:

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 summaryBack to this verse in chapter 8.16
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. anvavartantaengaged in devotional service
  2. yamunto whom
  3. devāḥall the demigods
  4. śrīḥ caand the goddess of fortune
  5. tat-pāda-padmayoḥof the lotus feet of His Lordship
  6. spṛhayantaḥdesiring
  7. ivaexactly
  8. āmodamcelestial bliss
3

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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotional”

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

Is pleasing the Supreme Personality of Godhead the focus of my service?

Practice

Offer this short prayer today: “May the Supreme Personality of Godhead be pleased with me.”

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayServe to Please the Supreme LordThis 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 8.16.37? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories