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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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Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.18.4

Who is speaking and story frame

दिश: प्रसेदु: सलिलाशयास्तदा

प्रजा: प्रहृष्टा ऋतवो गुणान्विता: ।

द्यौरन्तरीक्षं क्षितिरग्निजिह्वा

गावो द्विजा: सञ्जहृषुर्नगाश्च ॥ ४ ॥

diśaḥ praseduḥ salilāśayās tadā

prajāḥ prahṛṣṭā ṛtavo guṇānvitāḥ

dyaur antarīkṣaṁ kṣitir agni-jihvā

gāvo dvijāḥ sañjahṛṣur nagāś ca

Translation

At that time, there was happiness in all directions, in the reservoirs of water like the rivers and oceans, and in the core of everyone’s heart. The various seasons displayed their respective qualities, and all living entities in the upper planetary system, in outer space and on the surface of the earth were jubilant. The demigods, the cows, the brāhmaṇas and the hills and mountains were all filled with joy.

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.

Joy Fills Every Direction

  1. 1

    Happiness filled all directions, the rivers and oceans, and the core of everyone’s heart.

  2. 2

    The seasons displayed their respective qualities. Living entities in the upper planetary system, outer space and on earth were jubilant.

  3. 3

    The demigods, cows, brāhmaṇas, hills and mountains were all filled with joy.

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:

At that time, in all the three worlds (including the higher planetary system, outer space and this earth), all the demigods, the cows, the brāhmaṇas and even the seasons were happy because of God’s appearance. Therefore this auspicious day is called Vijayā.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 8.18
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. diśaḥall directions
  2. praseduḥbecame happy
  3. salilaof water
  4. āśayāḥthe reservoirs
  5. tadāat that time
  6. prajāḥall living entities
  7. prahṛṣṭāḥvery happy
  8. ṛtavaḥthe seasons
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

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does this description of widespread joy deepen my appreciation of the Lord’s appearance?

Practice

Reread the verse and pause to appreciate how many beings and places shared in this happiness.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayJoy Fills Every DirectionThis 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 8.18.4? Get an answer from the verses themselves.