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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 2: The Elephant Gajendra’s Crisis
8.2.268.2.28

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.2.27

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

तं तत्र कश्चिन्नृप दैवचोदितो

ग्राहो बलीयांश्चरणे रुषाग्रहीत् ।

यद‍ृच्छयैवं व्यसनं गतो गजो

यथाबलं सोऽतिबलो विचक्रमे ॥ २७ ॥

taṁ tatra kaścin nṛpa daiva-codito

grāho balīyāṁś caraṇe ruṣāgrahīt

yadṛcchayaivaṁ vyasanaṁ gato gajo

yathā-balaṁ so ’tibalo vicakrame

Translation

By the arrangement of providence, O King, a strong crocodile was angry at the elephant and attacked the elephant’s leg in the water. The elephant was certainly strong, and he tried his best to get free from this danger sent by providence.

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.

Strength Did Not Prevent Sudden Danger

  1. 1

    By the arrangement of providence, a strong crocodile attacked the elephant in the water.

  2. 2

    The angry crocodile seized the elephant’s leg.

  3. 3

    Although the elephant was certainly strong, he now faced grave danger. He tried his best to free himself.

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:

Because of this, the chief crocodile in that water, who was very powerful, immediately attacked the elephant’s leg. Thus there ensued a great fight between the elephant and the crocodile.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 8.2
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tamhim (Gajendra)
  2. tatrathere (in the water)
  3. kaścitsomeone
  4. nṛpaO King
  5. daiva-coditaḥinspired by providence
  6. grāhaḥcrocodile
  7. balīyānvery powerful
  8. caraṇehis foot
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 8.2

    In this verse: “danger”

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 8.2

    In this verse: “free from”

  • 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

How does this verse challenge the feeling that strength alone makes us safe?

Practice

Identify one situation today where you should act carefully rather than rely only on your strength.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayStrength Did Not Prevent Sudden DangerThis 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.

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