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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
8.18.18.18.3

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.18.2

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

श्यामावदातो झषराजकुण्डल-

त्विषोल्ल‍सच्छ्रीवदनाम्बुज: पुमान् ।

श्रीवत्सवक्षा बलयाङ्गदोल्ल‍स-

त्किरीटकाञ्चीगुणचारुनूपुर: ॥ २ ॥

śyāmāvadāto jhaṣa-rāja-kuṇḍala-

tviṣollasac-chrī-vadanāmbujaḥ pumān

śrīvatsa-vakṣā balayāṅgadollasat-

kirīṭa-kāñcī-guṇa-cāru-nūpuraḥ

Translation

The body of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, blackish in complexion, was free from all inebrieties. His lotus face, decorated with earrings resembling sharks, appeared very beautiful, and on His bosom was the mark of Śrīvatsa. He wore bangles on His wrists, armlets on His arms, a helmet on His head, a belt on His waist, a sacred thread across His chest, and ankle bells decorating His lotus feet.

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.

The Supreme Lord’s Beautiful Personal Form

  1. 1

    The Supreme Personality of Godhead had a blackish body, free from all defects.

  2. 2

    His beautiful lotus face was decorated with earrings resembling sharks. The mark of Śrīvatsa adorned His bosom.

  3. 3

    He wore bangles, armlets, a helmet, a belt and a sacred thread. Ankle bells decorated His lotus feet.

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. śyāma-avadātaḥwhose body is blackish and free from inebriety
  2. jhaṣa-rāja-kuṇḍalaof the two earrings, made in the shape of sharks
  3. tviṣāby the luster
  4. ullasatdazzling
  5. śrī-vadana-ambujaḥhaving a beautiful lotus face
  6. pumānthe Supreme Person
  7. śrīvatsa-vakṣāḥwith the mark of Śrīvatsa on His bosom
  8. balayabracelets
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

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 8.18

    In this verse: “free from”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Which detail of the Lord’s beautiful form helps me give Him my attention?

Practice

Read the description slowly, then recall three features of the Lord’s form.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Supreme Lord’s Beautiful Personal FormThis 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 8.18.2? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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