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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 20: Bali Mahārāja Surrenders the Universe
8.20.108.20.12

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.20.11

Āśraya· The supreme shelter
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Bali Mahārājasince 8.20.2inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

यजन्ति यज्ञंक्रतुभिर्यमाद‍ृता

भवन्त आम्नायविधानकोविदा: ।

स एव विष्णुर्वरदोऽस्तु वा परो

दास्याम्यमुष्मै क्षितिमीप्सितां मुने ॥ ११ ॥

yajanti yajñaṁ kratubhir yam ādṛtā

bhavanta āmnāya-vidhāna-kovidāḥ

sa eva viṣṇur varado ’stu vā paro

dāsyāmy amuṣmai kṣitim īpsitāṁ mune

Translation

O great sage, great saintly persons like you, being completely aware of the Vedic principles for performing ritualistic ceremonies and yajñas, worship Lord Viṣṇu in all circumstances. Therefore, whether that same Lord Viṣṇu has come here to give me all benedictions or to punish me as an enemy, I must carry out His order and give Him the requested tract of land without hesitation.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Worship Lord Viṣṇu in All Circumstances

  1. 1

    Lord Viṣṇu is the Supreme Person, and worship of Him is the ultimate goal of life. The varṇāśrama system organizes society to prepare everyone for this worship.

  2. 2

    Bali Mahārāja had been educated in devotional service by Prahlāda Mahārāja. His full surrender kept him from being misguided, even by his so-called spiritual master.

  3. 3

    Surrender means being prepared to follow Lord Viṣṇu’s orders whether He gives protection or punishment. Bali Mahārāja therefore resolved to give the requested land without hesitation.

Key points from the purport
  • Although in the Vedas there are recommendations for worshiping many demigods, Lord Viṣṇu is the Supreme Person, and worship of Viṣṇu is the ultimate goal of life.
  • The Vedic principles of the varṇāśrama institution are meant to organize society to prepare everyone to worship Lord Viṣṇu.
  • Lord Viṣṇu must be worshiped in all circumstances.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

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 20: Bali Mahārāja Surrenders the Universe

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Previously, all the great kings and emperors expanded their kingdoms with a regard for the welfare of the people in general. Indeed, while engaged in such activities for the benefit of the general public, eminent men sometimes even sacrificed their lives.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 8.20
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yajantiworship
  2. yajñamwho is the enjoyer of sacrifice
  3. kratubhiḥby the different paraphernalia for sacrifice
  4. yamunto the Supreme Person
  5. ādṛtāḥvery respectfully
  6. bhavantaḥall of you
  7. āmnāya-vidhāna-kovidāḥgreat saintly persons fully aware of the Vedic principles of performing sacrifice
  8. saḥthat
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Āśraya · The summum bonum

    Who is the shelter of everything? · Subject 10 of 10

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 8.20

    In this verse: “worship”, “devotional service”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 8.20

    In this verse: “principles”, “varṇāśrama”

  • Śaraṇāgati · Wholehearted surrender

    Relinquishing ownership while entrusting oneself to the Lord. · Theme in SB 8.20

    In this verse: “surrender”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Does my willingness to serve the Lord depend on receiving favorable results?

Practice

Before one duty today, pause and resolve to perform it to please Lord Viṣṇu rather than to gain a reward.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 8.20's connections

Live this todayWorship Lord Viṣṇu in All CircumstancesThis 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 8.20.11? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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