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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 18: Lord Vāmanadeva, the Dwarf Incarnation
8.18.158.18.17

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.18.16

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

कमण्डलुं वेदगर्भ: कुशान्सप्तर्षयो ददु: ।

अक्षमालां महाराज सरस्वत्यव्ययात्मन: ॥ १६ ॥

kamaṇḍaluṁ veda-garbhaḥ

kuśān saptarṣayo daduḥ

akṣa-mālāṁ mahārāja

sarasvaty avyayātmanaḥ

Translation

O King, Lord Brahmā offered a waterpot to the inexhaustible Supreme Personality of Godhead, the seven sages offered Him kuśa grass, and mother Sarasvatī gave Him a string of Rudrākṣa beads.

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 to the Inexhaustible Supreme Lord

  1. 1

    Lord Brahmā offered a waterpot to the inexhaustible Supreme Personality of Godhead.

  2. 2

    The seven sages offered Him kuśa grass.

  3. 3

    Mother Sarasvatī gave Him a string of Rudrākṣa beads. These offerings were all directed to the Supreme Lord.

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:

When the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who has a sac-cid-ānanda body, appeared as the son of Kaśyapa and Aditi, both of His parents were very astonished. After His appearance, the Lord assumed the form of a dwarf (Vāmana).
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 8.18
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. kamaṇḍaluma waterpot
  2. veda-garbhaḥLord Brahmā
  3. kuśānkuśa grass
  4. sapta-ṛṣayaḥthe seven sages
  5. daduḥoffered
  6. akṣa-mālāma string of Rudrākṣa beads
  7. mahārājaO King
  8. sarasvatīthe goddess Sarasvatī
  9. avyaya-ātmanaḥto the Supreme Personality of Godhead
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 8.18

    In this verse: “king”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 8.18

    In this verse: “mother”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does seeing these great personalities offer gifts deepen my respect for the Supreme Lord?

Practice

Read the three offerings aloud, pausing to remember whom each gift was meant to serve.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayOfferings to the Inexhaustible Supreme LordThis 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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