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

8.18.29 8.18.31

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.18.30

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:Bali Mahārājasince 8.18.29inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

अद्य न: पितरस्तृप्ता अद्य न: पावितं कुलम् ।

अद्य स्विष्ट: क्रतुरयं यद् भवानागतो गृहान् ॥ ३० ॥

adya naḥ pitaras tṛptā

adya naḥ pāvitaṁ kulam

adya sviṣṭaḥ kratur ayaṁ

yad bhavān āgato gṛhān

Translation

O my Lord, because You have kindly arrived at our home, all my forefathers are satisfied, our family and entire dynasty have been sanctified, and the sacrifice we are performing is now complete because of Your presence.

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.

The Lord’s Presence Completes the Sacrifice

1
Bali Mahārāja acknowledged that the Lord had kindly arrived at their home.
2
He said that the Lord’s arrival satisfied all his forefathers and sanctified his family and entire dynasty.
3
He considered the sacrifice complete because of the Lord’s presence. His gratitude centered on the Lord, not merely on the 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

Chapter 18: Lord Vāmanadeva, the Dwarf Incarnation

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Lord Vāmanadeva then visited the sacrificial arena on the northern side of the Narmadā River, at the field known as Bhṛgukaccha, where brāhmaṇas of the Bhṛgu dynasty were performing yajñas. 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.

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

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

adyatoday
naḥour
pitaraḥforefathers
tṛptāḥsatisfied
adyatoday
naḥour
pāvitampurified
kulamthe whole family

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord
How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10
Karuṇā · Compassion
Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 8.18
In this verse: “kindly”

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does Bali Mahārāja’s gratitude reveal about the purpose of his sacrifice?

Practice

Read Bali Mahārāja’s words aloud once, paying special attention to his gratitude for the Lord’s presence.

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord’s Presence Completes the SacrificeThis 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 8.18.30? 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