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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.
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Canto 8 · Chapter 19: Lord Vāmanadeva Begs Charity from Bali Mahārāja
8.19.248.19.26

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.19.25

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Personality of Godheadsince 8.19.21inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

पुंसोऽयं संसृतेर्हेतुरसन्तोषोऽर्थकामयो: ।

यद‍ृच्छयोपपन्नेन सन्तोषो मुक्तये स्मृत: ॥ २५ ॥

puṁso ’yaṁ saṁsṛter hetur

asantoṣo ’rtha-kāmayoḥ

yadṛcchayopapannena

santoṣo muktaye smṛtaḥ

Translation

Material existence causes discontent in regard to fulfilling one’s lusty desires and achieving more and more money. This is the cause for the continuation of material life, which is full of repeated birth and death. But one who is satisfied by that which is obtained by destiny is fit for liberation from this material existence.

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.

Contentment Prepares One for Liberation

  1. 1

    Material existence involves discontent over fulfilling lusty desires and obtaining more and more money.

  2. 2

    This dissatisfaction causes material life, with its repeated birth and death, to continue.

  3. 3

    One who is satisfied with what destiny provides is fit for liberation from material existence.

How it feels

Public loss and humiliation → Total surrender. An apparent external defeat conceals a devotional triumph.

Chapters 19–23 of Canto 8: Vāmana tests Bali; Bali offers everything. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 19: Lord Vāmanadeva Begs Charity from Bali Mahārāja

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Śukrācārya advised Bali Mahārāja to withdraw his promise. He explained that in subduing others, in joking, in responding to danger, in acting for the welfare of others, and so on, one could refuse to fulfill one’s promise, and there would be no fault.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 8.19
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. puṁsaḥof the living entity
  2. ayamthis
  3. saṁsṛteḥof the continuation of material existence
  4. hetuḥthe cause
  5. asantoṣaḥdissatisfaction with his destined achievement
  6. artha-kāmayoḥfor the sake of lusty desires and getting more and more money
  7. yadṛcchayāwith the gift of destiny
  8. upapannenawhich has been achieved
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 8.19

    In this verse: “lusty”, “material”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 8.19

    In this verse: “death”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Where is the desire for more money or enjoyment feeding your dissatisfaction?

Practice

Notice one urge to acquire more today, and consciously acknowledge what you already have to meet that need.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayContentment Prepares One for LiberationThis 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 8.19.25? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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