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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 18: Lord Vāmanadeva, the Dwarf Incarnation
8.18.138.18.15

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.18.14

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 8.18.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

तस्योपनीयमानस्य सावित्रीं सविताब्रवीत् ।

बृहस्पतिर्ब्रह्मसूत्रं मेखलां कश्यपोऽददात् ॥ १४ ॥

tasyopanīyamānasya

sāvitrīṁ savitābravīt

bṛhaspatir brahma-sūtraṁ

mekhalāṁ kaśyapo ’dadāt

Translation

At the sacred thread ceremony of Vāmanadeva, the sun-god personally uttered the Gāyatrī mantra, Bṛhaspati offered the sacred thread, and Kaśyapa Muni offered a straw belt.

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.

Offerings at the Lord’s Sacred Thread Ceremony

  1. 1

    At Vāmanadeva’s sacred thread ceremony, the sun-god personally uttered the Gāyatrī mantra.

  2. 2

    Bṛhaspati offered the sacred thread to Vāmanadeva.

  3. 3

    Kaśyapa Muni offered a straw belt. Each participant contributed to the Lord’s ceremony.

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 18: Lord Vāmanadeva, the Dwarf Incarnation

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Wearing a belt made of muñja straw, an upper garment of deerskin and a sacred thread and carrying in His hands a daṇḍa, an umbrella and a waterpot ( kamaṇḍalu), Lord Vāmanadeva appeared in the sacrificial arena of Mahārāja Bali. Because of His transcendentally effulgent presence, all the priests were diminished in their prowess, and thus they all stood from their seats and offered prayers to Lord Vāmanadeva.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 8.18
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tasyaof Lord Vāmanadeva
  2. upanīyamānasyaat the time of His being offered the sacred thread ceremony
  3. sāvitrīmthe Gāyatrī mantra
  4. savitāthe sun-god
  5. abravītchanted
  6. bṛhaspatiḥBṛhaspati, the guru of the demigods
  7. brahma-sūtramthe sacred thread
  8. mekhalāmthe belt of straw
  9. kaśyapaḥKaśyapa Muni
  10. adadātoffered
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

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does each participant’s distinct contribution help me reflect on serving the Lord?

Practice

Write down one small contribution you can make today in service to the Lord, and carry it out.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayOfferings at the Lord’s Sacred Thread CeremonyThis 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 8.18.14? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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