1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 8 · Withdrawal of the Cosmic Creations · 24 chapters

123456789101112131415161718192021222324

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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
8.20.128.20.14

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.20.13

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

एष वा उत्तमश्लोको न जिहासति यद् यश: ।

हत्वा मैनां हरेद् युद्धे शयीत निहतो मया ॥ १३ ॥

eṣa vā uttamaśloko

na jihāsati yad yaśaḥ

hatvā maināṁ hared yuddhe

śayīta nihato mayā

Translation

If this brāhmaṇa really is Lord Viṣṇu, who is worshiped by Vedic hymns, He would never give up His widespread reputation; either He would lie down having been killed by me, or He would kill me in a fight.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Devotional Service Wins the Lord

  1. 1

    Bali Mahārāja’s words about killing Lord Viṣṇu are not meant literally. Lord Viṣṇu can kill everyone, but no one can kill Him.

  2. 2

    The real meaning of the Lord’s lying down is that He would reside within the core of Bali Mahārāja’s heart.

  3. 3

    No one can defeat Lord Viṣṇu by force. Yet a devotee defeats Him through devotional service.

Key points from the purport
  • Bali Mahārāja’s statement that Viṣṇu would lie down having been killed is not the direct meaning, for Viṣṇu cannot be killed by anyone.
  • Lord Viṣṇu can kill everyone, but He cannot be killed.
  • Thus the real meaning of the words “lie down” is that Lord Viṣṇu would reside within the core of Bali Mahārāja’s heart.

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:

Therefore, fame should be the aim of life, and even if one becomes poverty-stricken for the sake of a good reputation, that is not a loss. Bali Mahārāja thought that even if this brahmacārī, Vāmanadeva, were Lord Viṣṇu, if the Lord accepted his charity and then again arrested him, Bali Mahārāja would not envy Him.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 8.20
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. eṣaḥthis ( brahmacārī)
  2. vāeither
  3. uttama-ślokaḥis Lord Viṣṇu, who is worshiped by Vedic prayers
  4. nanot
  5. jihāsatidesires to give up
  6. yatbecause
  7. yaśaḥperpetual fame
  8. hatvāafter killing
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “worshiped”, “devotional service”, “devotee”

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 8.20

    In this verse: “give up”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Am I approaching the Lord through loving service rather than a desire to control?

Practice

Offer one brief prayer today expressing your desire to serve Lord Viṣṇu with love.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDevotional Service Wins the LordThis 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 8.20.13? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories