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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 2: The Elephant Gajendra’s Crisis
8.2.23-248.2.26

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.2.25

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 8.2.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

विगाह्य तस्मिन्नमृताम्बु निर्मलं

हेमारविन्दोत्पलरेणुरूषितम् ।

पपौ निकामं निजपुष्करोद्‌धृत-

मात्मानमद्भ‍ि: स्‍नपयन्गतक्लम: ॥ २५ ॥

vigāhya tasminn amṛtāmbu nirmalaṁ

hemāravindotpala-reṇu-rūṣitam

papau nikāmaṁ nija-puṣkaroddhṛtam

ātmānam adbhiḥ snapayan gata-klamaḥ

Translation

The King of the elephants entered the lake, bathed thoroughly and was relieved of his fatigue. Then, with the aid of his trunk, he drank the cold, clear, nectarean water, which was mixed with the dust of lotus flowers and water lilies, until he was fully satisfied.

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.

Bathing and Drinking Relieved His Fatigue

  1. 1

    The King of the elephants entered the lake and bathed thoroughly. This relieved his fatigue.

  2. 2

    With his trunk, he drank cold, clear water described as nectarean.

  3. 3

    The water was mixed with dust from lotus flowers and water lilies. He drank until fully satisfied.

How it feels

Helplessness → Surrender and rescue. A mighty animal finally realizes the limits of strength.

Chapters 1–4 of Canto 8: Gajendra's struggle and prayers. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 2: The Elephant Gajendra’s Crisis

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Once the chief of the elephants, along with female elephants, went to enjoy bathing in that lake, and they disturbed the inhabitants of the water. Because of this, the chief crocodile in that water, who was very powerful, immediately attacked the elephant’s leg.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 8.2
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. vigāhyaentering
  2. tasmininto the lake
  3. amṛta-ambuwater as pure as nectar
  4. nirmalamcrystal clear
  5. hemavery cold
  6. aravinda-utpalafrom the lilies and lotuses
  7. reṇuwith the dust
  8. rūṣitamwhich was mixed
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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 8.2

    In this verse: “king”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Which details help you picture the elephant’s relief and satisfaction?

Practice

Drink a glass of water slowly today, noticing how it relieves your thirst.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayBathing and Drinking Relieved His FatigueThis 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 8.2.25? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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