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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
8.20.118.20.13

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.20.12

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Bali Mahārājasince 8.20.2inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

यद्यप्यसावधर्मेण मां बध्नीयादनागसम् ।

तथाप्येनं न हिंसिष्ये भीतं ब्रह्मतनुं रिपुम् ॥ १२ ॥

yadyapy asāv adharmeṇa

māṁ badhnīyād anāgasam

tathāpy enaṁ na hiṁsiṣye

bhītaṁ brahma-tanuṁ ripum

Translation

Although He is Viṣṇu Himself, out of fear He has covered Himself in the form of a brāhmaṇa to come to me begging. Under the circumstances, because He has assumed the form of a brāhmaṇa, even if He irreligiously arrests me or even kills me, I shall not retaliate, although He is my enemy.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Lord’s Humor With His Devotee

  1. 1

    If Lord Viṣṇu had come openly and made His request, Bali Mahārāja would certainly not have refused.

  2. 2

    The Lord covered Himself as a brāhmaṇa-brahmacārī to enjoy a little humor with His devotee. He came begging for only three feet of land.

  3. 3

    Bali Mahārāja declared that he would not retaliate against the Lord in the form of a brāhmaṇa, even if the Lord arrested or killed him.

Key points from the purport
  • If Lord Viṣṇu as He is had come to Bali Mahārāja and asked him to do something, Bali Mahārāja certainly would not have refused His request.
  • But to enjoy a little humor between Himself and His devotee, the Lord covered Himself as a brāhmaṇa-brahmacārī and thus came to Bali Mahārāja to beg for only three feet of land.

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:

Despite his knowledge that Lord Vāmanadeva was cheating him, Bali Mahārāja gave everything to the Lord in charity, and thus the Lord extended His body and assumed a gigantic form as Lord Viṣṇu. After hearing the instructive advice of Śukrācārya, Bali Mahārāja became contemplative.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 8.20
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yadyapialthough
  2. asauLord Viṣṇu
  3. adharmeṇacrookedly, without reference to the straight way
  4. māmme
  5. badhnīyātkills
  6. anāgasamalthough I am not sinful
  7. tathāpistill
  8. enamagainst Him
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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 8.20

    In this verse: “fear”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotee”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does Bali Mahārāja’s readiness to honor the Lord’s request teach me about willing service?

Practice

Take a quiet minute to reflect on the Lord’s personal, affectionate dealings with His devotee.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord’s Humor With His DevoteeThis 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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