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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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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 17: The Supreme Lord Agrees to Become Aditi’s Son
8.16.628.17.2-3

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.17.1

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 8.17.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

श्रीशुक उवाच

इत्युक्ता सादिती राजन्स्वभर्त्रा कश्यपेन वै ।

अन्वतिष्ठद् व्रतमिदं द्वादशाहमतन्द्रिता ॥ १ ॥

śrī-śuka uvāca

ity uktā sāditī rājan

sva-bhartrā kaśyapena vai

anv atiṣṭhad vratam idaṁ

dvādaśāham atandritā

Translation

Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: O King, after Aditi was thus advised by her husband, Kaśyapa Muni, she strictly followed his instructions without laziness and in this way performed the payo-vrata ritualistic ceremony.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Follow Spiritual Instructions Without Laziness

  1. 1

    Aditi strictly followed Kaśyapa Muni’s instructions without laziness and performed the payo-vrata ceremony.

  2. 2

    For advancement, especially in spiritual life, one must faithfully follow the bona fide instructions of the teacher.

  3. 3

    The guru helps the disciple progress in spiritual life. Aditi’s faithful obedience to her husband and spiritual master brought success.

Key points from the purport
  • For advancement in anything, especially in spiritual life, one must strictly follow the bona fide instructions of the teacher.
  • One should have complete faith in the guru, who helps the disciple make progress in spiritual life.
  • Aditi very strictly followed the instructions of her husband and spiritual master, and thus she was successful.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

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 17: The Supreme Lord Agrees to Become Aditi’s Son

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

As explained in this chapter, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, being very pleased by the payo-vrata ceremony performed by Aditi, appeared before her in full opulence. At her request, the Lord agreed to become her son.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 8.17
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śrī-śukaḥ uvācaŚrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said
  2. itithus
  3. uktābeing advised
  4. sāthat lady
  5. aditiḥAditi
  6. rājanO King
  7. sva-bhartrāby her husband
  8. kaśyapenaKaśyapa Muni
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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 8.17

    In this verse: “king”

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

Where could I follow the spiritual instructions I have received more faithfully?

Practice

Choose one instruction you have received from your spiritual teacher and make time to follow it today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayFollow Spiritual Instructions Without LazinessThis 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 8.17.1? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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