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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.
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Canto 8 · Chapter 16: Executing the Payo-vrata Process of Worship
8.16.538.16.55

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.16.54

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

भोजयेत् तान्गुणवता सदन्नेन शुचिस्मिते ।

अन्यांश्च ब्राह्मणाञ्छक्त्या ये च तत्र समागता: ॥ ५४ ॥

bhojayet tān guṇavatā

sad-annena śuci-smite

anyāṁś ca brāhmaṇāñ chaktyā

ye ca tatra samāgatāḥ

Translation

O most auspicious lady, one should perform all the ceremonies under the direction of learned ācāryas and should satisfy them and their priests. By distributing prasāda, one should also satisfy the brāhmaṇas and others who have assembled.

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 Under Learned Guidance

  1. 1

    All the ceremonies should be performed under the direction of learned ācāryas.

  2. 2

    One should take care to satisfy these teachers and their priests.

  3. 3

    Prasāda should be distributed to satisfy the brāhmaṇas and everyone else assembled.

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. bhojayetshould distribute prasāda
  2. tānunto all of them
  3. guṇa-vatāby rich foods
  4. sat-annenawith food prepared with ghee and milk, which is supposed to be very pure
  5. śuci-smiteO most pious lady
  6. anyān caothers also
  7. brāhmaṇānbrāhmaṇas
  8. śaktyāas far as possible
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

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

Do I give attention both to receiving guidance and to caring for others during worship?

Practice

Ask a learned spiritual guide one practical question about performing worship properly.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayWorship Under Learned GuidanceThis 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 8.16.54? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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