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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
8.18.278.18.29

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.18.28

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

तत्पादशौचं जनकल्मषापहं

स धर्मविन्मूर्ध्‍न्यदधात् सुमङ्गलम् ।

यद् देवदेवो गिरिशश्चन्द्रमौलि-

र्दधार मूर्ध्ना परया च भक्त्या ॥ २८ ॥

tat-pāda-śaucaṁ jana-kalmaṣāpahaṁ

sa dharma-vin mūrdhny adadhāt sumaṅgalam

yad deva-devo giriśaś candra-maulir

dadhāra mūrdhnā parayā ca bhaktyā

Translation

Lord Śiva, the best of demigods, who carries on his forehead the emblem of the moon, receives on his head with great devotion the Ganges water emanating from the toe of Viṣṇu. Being aware of religious principles, Bali Mahārāja knew this. Consequently, following in the footsteps of Lord Śiva, he also placed on his head the water that had washed the Lord’s lotus feet.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Follow the Devotion of the Mahājanas

  1. 1

    Lord Śiva is known as Gaṅgā-dhara because he carries the Ganges water on his head. He places it above the moon emblem to show supreme respect to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

  2. 2

    Lord Śiva is one of the mahājanas, and Bali Mahārāja followed his example. By following the paramparā system of mahājana activities, one can advance in spiritual consciousness.

  3. 3

    The Ganges is sanctified because it emanates from Lord Viṣṇu’s toe. The water that washed Vāmanadeva’s lotus feet became equal to the Ganges, so Bali Mahārāja respectfully placed it on his head.

Key points from the purport
  • Lord Śiva is known as Gaṅgā-dhara, or one who carries the water of the Ganges on his head.
  • Bali Mahārāja washed the lotus feet of Vāmanadeva, and the water with which he did so became equal to the Ganges.
  • Bali Mahārāja, who perfectly knew all religious principles, therefore took that water on his head, following in the footsteps of Lord Śiva.

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 18: Lord Vāmanadeva, the Dwarf Incarnation

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Even Lord Śiva accepts on his head the Ganges water generated from the toe of Lord Vāmanadeva. 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.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 8.18
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tat-pāda-śaucamthe water that washed the lotus feet of the Lord
  2. jana-kalmaṣa-apahamwhich washes away all the sinful reactions of the people in general
  3. saḥhe (Bali Mahārāja)
  4. dharma-vitcompletely aware of religious principles
  5. mūrdhnion the head
  6. adadhātcarried
  7. su-maṅgalamall-auspicious
  8. yatwhich
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

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 8.18

    In this verse: “religious”, “principles”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 8.18

    In this verse: “devotion”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does Bali Mahārāja’s willingness to follow Lord Śiva teach you about spiritual advancement?

Practice

Write one sentence describing the reverence shared by Lord Śiva and Bali Mahārāja, and read it before your worship today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayFollow the Devotion of the MahājanasThis 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 8.18.28? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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