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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
8.16.51-528.16.54

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.16.53

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

आचार्यं ज्ञानसम्पन्नं वस्त्राभरणधेनुभि: ।

तोषयेद‍ृत्विजश्चैव तद्विद्ध्याराधनं हरे: ॥ ५३ ॥

ācāryaṁ jñāna-sampannaṁ

vastrābharaṇa-dhenubhiḥ

toṣayed ṛtvijaś caiva

tad viddhy ārādhanaṁ hareḥ

Translation

One should satisfy the spiritual master [ācārya], who is very learned in Vedic literature, and should satisfy his assistant priests [known as hotā, udgātā, adhvaryu and brahma]. One should please them by offering them clothing, ornaments and cows. This is the ceremony called viṣṇu-ārādhana, or worship of Lord Viṣṇu.

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.

Honor Those Who Guide Worship

  1. 1

    One should satisfy the spiritual master, the ācārya, who is very learned in Vedic literature.

  2. 2

    His assistant priests should also be pleased with offerings of clothing, ornaments and cows.

  3. 3

    This ceremony is called viṣṇu-ārādhana, or worship of Lord Viṣṇu. Honoring those who guide the ceremony is part of that worship.

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:

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. Lord Brahmā had instructed him how to satisfy Lord Kṛṣṇa by this process, and thus he advised his wife to observe this vow and its regulative principles.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 8.16
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. ācāryamthe spiritual master
  2. jñāna-sampannamvery advanced in spiritual knowledge
  3. vastra-ābharaṇa-dhenubhiḥwith clothing, ornaments and many cows
  4. toṣayetshould satisfy
  5. ṛtvijaḥthe priests recommended by the spiritual master
  6. ca evaas well as
  7. tat viddhitry to understand that
  8. ārādhanamworship
  9. hareḥof the Supreme Personality of Godhead
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

How can I show thoughtful appreciation for those who guide worship?

Practice

Offer a small gift or practical help to someone who guides your worship.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHonor Those Who Guide WorshipThis 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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