1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter

Canto

Canto 8 · Withdrawal of the Cosmic Creations · 24 chapters

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

How to study this verse, in six steps

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
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

8.18.26 8.18.28

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.18.27

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

स्वागतेनाभिनन्द्याथ पादौ भगवतो बलि: ।

अवनिज्यार्चयामास मुक्तसङ्गमनोरमम् ॥ २७ ॥

svāgatenābhinandyātha

pādau bhagavato baliḥ

avanijyārcayām āsa

mukta-saṅga-manoramam

Translation

Thus offering a proper reception to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is always beautiful to the liberated souls, Bali Mahārāja worshiped Him by washing His lotus feet.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Worship the Lord with Loving Respect

1
Bali Mahārāja offered a proper reception to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
2
The Lord is always beautiful to the liberated souls.
3
Bali Mahārāja worshiped the Lord by washing His lotus feet. His welcome included an act of personal service.

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

Chapter 18: Lord Vāmanadeva, the Dwarf Incarnation

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Therefore, after washing the Lord’s feet, Bali Mahārāja immediately accepted the water from the Lord’s feet on his head and felt that he and his predecessors had certainly been glorified. Then Bali Mahārāja inquired of Lord Vāmanadeva’s welfare and requested the Lord to ask him for money, jewels or anything He might desire.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in chapter 8.18

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

su-āgatenaby words of welcome
abhinandyawelcoming
athathus
pādauthe two lotus feet
bhagavataḥof the Lord
baliḥBali Mahārāja
avanijyawashing
arcayām āsaworshiped
mukta-saṅga-manoramamthe Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is beautiful to the liberated souls

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 8.18
In this verse: “worshiped”

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can your respect for the Lord become more than words?

Practice

Offer a brief prayer of welcome to the Lord, remembering Bali Mahārāja’s worship of His lotus feet.

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayWorship the Lord with Loving RespectThis 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 8.18.27? Get an answer from the verses themselves.

Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories