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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

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 19: Lord Vāmanadeva Begs Charity from Bali Mahārāja

8.19.26 8.19.28

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.19.27

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees

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

तस्मात् त्रीणि पदान्येव वृणे त्वद् वरदर्षभात् ।

एतावतैव सिद्धोऽहं वित्तं यावत्प्रयोजनम् ॥ २७ ॥

tasmāt trīṇi padāny eva

vṛṇe tvad varadarṣabhāt

etāvataiva siddho ’haṁ

vittaṁ yāvat prayojanam

Translation

Therefore, O King, from you, the best of those who give charity, I ask only three paces of land. By such a gift I shall be very pleased, for the way of happiness is to be fully satisfied to receive that which is absolutely needed.

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.

Ask Only for What Is Needed

1
The Lord addresses the King as the best of those who give charity, yet asks for only three paces of land.
2
He says that this small gift will fully please Him.
3
The way of happiness is to be fully satisfied with receiving only what is absolutely needed.

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

Chapter 19: Lord Vāmanadeva Begs Charity from Bali Mahārāja

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Bali Mahārāja agreed to give this land in charity, since this was very insignificant, but Śukrācārya, who could understand that Vāmanadeva was Viṣṇu, the friend of the demigods, forbade Bali Mahārāja to give this land. Śukrācārya advised Bali Mahārāja to withdraw his promise.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in chapter 8.19

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

tasmātbecause of being satisfied by things easily obtained
trīṇithree
padānisteps
evaindeed
vṛṇeI ask
tvatfrom your good self
varada-ṛṣabhātwho are a munificent benedictor
etāvatā evamerely by such an endowment

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
Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership
Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 8.19
In this verse: “king”

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

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What is the difference between what you need today and what you merely want?

Practice

For one purchase or request today, choose only the amount you actually need.

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayAsk Only for What Is NeededThis 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 8.19.27? Get an answer from the verses themselves.

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