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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 19: Lord Vāmanadeva Begs Charity from Bali Mahārāja
8.19.308.19.32

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.19.31

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukrācāryasince 8.19.30inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

प्रतिश्रुतं त्वयैतस्मै यदनर्थमजानता ।

न साधु मन्ये दैत्यानां महानुपगतोऽनय: ॥ ३१ ॥

pratiśrutaṁ tvayaitasmai

yad anartham ajānatā

na sādhu manye daityānāṁ

mahān upagato ’nayaḥ

Translation

You do not know what a dangerous position you have accepted by promising to give Him land. I do not think that this promise is good for you. It will bring great harm to the demons.

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.

A Warning About the Promised Land

  1. 1

    The speaker warns that promising to give Him land has placed the giver in danger.

  2. 2

    The warning says that the promise was made without understanding its consequences.

  3. 3

    The speaker considers the promise harmful, predicting great harm to the demons. This verse presents his concern.

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:

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 summaryBack to this verse in chapter 8.19
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. pratiśrutampromised
  2. tvayāby you
  3. etasmaiunto Him
  4. yat anarthamwhich is repugnant
  5. ajānatāby you who have no knowledge
  6. nanot
  7. sādhuvery good
  8. manyeI think
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

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

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

    In this verse: “dangerous”, “danger”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 8.19

    In this verse: “understanding”

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

Do I consider how my promises may affect others?

Practice

Review one promise you have made and consider who may be affected by fulfilling it.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayA Warning About the Promised LandThis 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 8.19.31? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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