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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
8.16.498.16.51-52

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.16.50

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Kaśyapa Munisince 8.16.38inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

त्रयोदश्यामथो विष्णो: स्‍नपनं पञ्चकैर्विभो: ।

कारयेच्छास्त्रद‍ृष्टेन विधिना विधिकोविदै: ॥ ५० ॥

trayodaśyām atho viṣṇoḥ

snapanaṁ pañcakair vibhoḥ

kārayec chāstra-dṛṣṭena

vidhinā vidhi-kovidaiḥ

Translation

Thereafter, following the directions of the śāstra with help from brāhmaṇas who know the śāstra, on the thirteenth day of the moon one should bathe Lord Viṣṇu with five substances [milk, yogurt, ghee, sugar and honey].

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.

Worship According to Śāstra

  1. 1

    On the thirteenth day of the moon, one should bathe Lord Viṣṇu with five substances.

  2. 2

    These substances are milk, yogurt, ghee, sugar and honey.

  3. 3

    This worship should follow the directions of the śāstra, with help from brāhmaṇas who know the śāstra.

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:

He assured her that only Lord Vāsudeva could satisfy her and fulfill all her desires. When Aditi then expressed her desire to worship Lord Vāsudeva, Prajāpati Kaśyapa told her about a process of worship known as payo-vrata, which is executed in twelve days.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 8.16
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. trayodaśyāmon the thirteenth day of the moon
  2. athothereafter
  3. viṣṇoḥof Lord Viṣṇu
  4. snapanambathing
  5. pañcakaiḥby pañcāmṛta, five substances
  6. vibhoḥthe Lord
  7. kārayetone should execute
  8. śāstra-dṛṣṭenaenjoined in the scripture
  9. vidhināunder regulative principles
  10. vidhi-kovidaiḥassisted by the priests who know the regulative principles
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “worship”

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

Am I willing to seek knowledgeable help rather than invent my own method of worship?

Practice

Write down one question about this worship to ask a brāhmaṇa who knows the śāstra.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayWorship According to ŚāstraThis 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 8.16.50? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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