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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
8.17.18.17.4

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Texts 8.17.2-3

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

चिन्तयन्त्येकया बुद्ध्या महापुरुषमीश्वरम् ।

प्रगृह्येन्द्रियदुष्टाश्वान्मनसा बुद्धिसारथि: ॥ २ ॥

मनश्चैकाग्रया बुद्ध्या भगवत्यखिलात्मनि ।

वासुदेवे समाधाय चचार ह पयोव्रतम् ॥ ३ ॥

cintayanty ekayā buddhyā

mahā-puruṣam īśvaram

pragṛhyendriya-duṣṭāśvān

manasā buddhi-sārathiḥ

manaś caikāgrayā buddhyā

bhagavaty akhilātmani

vāsudeve samādhāya

cacāra ha payo-vratam

Translation

With full, undiverted attention, Aditi thought of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and in this way brought under full control her mind and senses, which resembled forceful horses. She concentrated her mind upon the Supreme Lord, Vāsudeva. Thus she performed the ritualistic ceremony known as payo-vrata.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Devotional Service Controls the Mind and Senses

  1. 1

    Aditi concentrated with undiverted attention upon Vāsudeva, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. In this way she controlled her powerful mind and senses.

  2. 2

    Pure devotional service means serving the Supreme Lord Kṛṣṇa favorably, without desire for material profit or gain through fruitive activities or philosophical speculation.

  3. 3

    By concentrating upon Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet, the devotee’s mind and senses become controlled through unalloyed devotional service. Separate practice of haṭha-yoga is not needed for this.

Key points from the purport
  • One simply has to concentrate upon the lotus feet of Vāsudeva, Kṛṣṇa (sa vai manaḥ kṛṣṇa-padāravindayoḥ).
  • The devotee does not need to practice the haṭha-yoga system to control the mind and senses; his mind and senses are automatically controlled because of unalloyed devotional service to the Lord.

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. cintayanticonstantly thinking
  2. ekayāwith one attention
  3. buddhyāand intelligence
  4. mahā-puruṣamupon the Supreme Personality of Godhead
  5. īśvaramthe supreme controller, Lord Viṣṇu
  6. pragṛhyacompletely controlling
  7. indriyathe senses
  8. duṣṭaformidable, powerful
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 8.17

    In this verse: “devotional service”, “devotee’s”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 8.17

    In this verse: “favorably”

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 seeking to serve Kṛṣṇa, or mainly seeking something for myself?

Practice

Spend two quiet minutes directing your attention toward Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet with the desire to serve Him.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDevotional Service Controls the Mind and SensesThis 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 8.17.2-3? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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