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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 17: The Supreme Lord Agrees to Become Aditi’s Son
8.17.98.17.11

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.17.10

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The goddess Aditisince 8.17.8inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

आयु: परं वपुरभीष्टमतुल्यलक्ष्मी-

र्द्योभूरसा: सकलयोगगुणास्त्रिवर्ग: ।

ज्ञानं च केवलमनन्त भवन्ति तुष्टात्

त्वत्तो नृणां किमु सपत्नजयादिराशी: ॥ १० ॥

āyuḥ paraṁ vapur abhīṣṭam atulya-lakṣmīr

dyo-bhū-rasāḥ sakala-yoga-guṇās tri-vargaḥ

jñānaṁ ca kevalam ananta bhavanti tuṣṭāt

tvatto nṛṇāṁ kim u sapatna-jayādir āśīḥ

Translation

O unlimited one, if Your Lordship is satisfied, one can very easily obtain a lifetime as long as that of Lord Brahmā, a body either in the upper, lower or middle planetary systems, unlimited material opulence, religion, economic development and satisfaction of the senses, full transcendental knowledge, and the eight yogic perfections, what to speak of such petty achievements as conquering one’s rivals.

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.

All Achievements Depend on the Lord’s Satisfaction

  1. 1

    When the unlimited Lord is satisfied, even a lifetime as long as Lord Brahmā’s and unlimited material opulence are easily obtained.

  2. 2

    Religion, economic development, sense satisfaction, full transcendental knowledge and the eight yogic perfections can all come from Him.

  3. 3

    Compared with these gifts, conquering one’s rivals is a petty achievement. Aditi acknowledges the greatness of what the Lord can bestow.

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. āyuḥduration of life
  2. paramas long as that of Lord Brahmā
  3. vapuḥa particular type of body
  4. abhīṣṭamthe goal of life
  5. atulya-lakṣmīḥunparalleled opulence in material existence
  6. dyothe upper planetary system
  7. bhūBhūloka
  8. rasāḥthe lower planetary system
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 8.17

    In this verse: “material”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 8.17

    In this verse: “religion”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 8.17

    In this verse: “knowledge”

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 more concerned with pleasing the Lord or with gaining a small advantage over others?

Practice

Before pursuing one desired achievement today, pause and consider how your action could please the Lord.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayAll Achievements Depend on the Lord’s SatisfactionThis 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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