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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.
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Canto 8 · Chapter 16: Executing the Payo-vrata Process of Worship
8.16.488.16.50

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.16.49

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Kaśyapa Munisince 8.16.38inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

वर्जयेदसदालापं भोगानुच्चावचांस्तथा ।

अहिंस्र: सर्वभूतानां वासुदेवपरायण: ॥ ४९ ॥

varjayed asad-ālāpaṁ

bhogān uccāvacāṁs tathā

ahiṁsraḥ sarva-bhūtānāṁ

vāsudeva-parāyaṇaḥ

Translation

During this period, one should not unnecessarily talk of material subjects or topics of sense gratification, one should be completely free from envy of all living entities, and one should be a pure and simple devotee of Lord Vāsudeva.

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.

Be a Pure, Simple Devotee

  1. 1

    During the vow, one should avoid unnecessary talk about material subjects or sense gratification.

  2. 2

    One should be completely free from envy of all living entities.

  3. 3

    One should be a pure and simple devotee of Lord Vāsudeva.

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:

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. But when he saw that Aditi was not satisfied even after he had given these instructions, he advised her to worship Vāsudeva, Janārdana.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 8.16
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. varjayetone should give up
  2. asat-ālāpamunnecessary talk on material subject matters
  3. bhogānsense gratification
  4. ucca-avacānsuperior or inferior
  5. tathāas well as
  6. ahiṁsraḥwithout being envious
  7. sarva-bhūtānāmof all living entities
  8. vāsudeva-parāyaṇaḥsimply being a devotee of Lord Vāsudeva
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 8.16

    In this verse: “sense gratification”, “material”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotee”

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 8.16

    In this verse: “free from”

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

Which habit of speech or envy interferes with my simple devotion to Lord Vāsudeva?

Practice

Today, refrain from one unnecessary conversation about sense gratification.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayBe a Pure, Simple DevoteeThis 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.

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