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
8.20.138.20.15

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.20.14

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 8.20.14inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

श्रीशुक उवाच

एवमश्रद्धितं शिष्यमनादेशकरं गुरु: ।

शशाप दैवप्रहित: सत्यसन्धं मनस्विनम् ॥ १४ ॥

śrī-śuka uvāca

evam aśraddhitaṁ śiṣyam

anādeśakaraṁ guruḥ

śaśāpa daiva-prahitaḥ

satya-sandhaṁ manasvinam

Translation

Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: Thereafter, the spiritual master, Śukrācārya, being inspired by the Supreme Lord, cursed his exalted disciple Bali Mahārāja, who was so magnanimous and fixed in truthfulness that instead of respecting his spiritual master’s instructions, he wanted to disobey his order.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Loving Devotion Receives the Lord’s Guidance

  1. 1

    Bali Mahārāja had developed love of Godhead, whereas Śukrācārya remained a priest of routine rituals. Their different responses revealed this distinction.

  2. 2

    The Supreme Personality of Godhead gives understanding to those who constantly worship Him with faith and love. This guidance enables devotees to return to Him.

  3. 3

    Śukrācārya should have encouraged Bali Mahārāja to give everything to Lord Viṣṇu. Instead, he cursed his devoted disciple.

Key points from the purport
  • Thus Śukrācārya was never inspired by the Supreme Personality of Godhead to develop in devotional service.
  • Devotees who actually engage in devotional service with faith and love are inspired by the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
  • Therefore in this verse the word daiva-prahitaḥ, “being inspired by the Supreme Lord,” is important.

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

Connected verses· 1

The purport of SB 8.20.14 quotesBG 10.10

As stated by the Lord Himself in Bhagavad-gītā (10.10): “To those who are constantly devoted and worship Me with love, I give the understanding by which they can come to Me.”

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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:

Bali Mahārāja could see Lord Vāmanadeva as the Supreme Viṣṇu, wearing a helmet, yellow garments, the mark of Śrīvatsa, the Kaustubha jewel, a flower garland, and ornaments decorating His entire body. The Lord gradually covered the entire surface of the world, and by extending His body He covered the entire sky.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 8.20
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śrī-śukaḥ uvācaŚrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said
  2. evamthus
  3. aśraddhitamwho was not very respectful to the instruction of the spiritual master
  4. śiṣyamunto such a disciple
  5. anādeśa-karamwho was not prepared to carry out the order of his spiritual master
  6. guruḥthe spiritual master (Śukrācārya)
  7. śaśāpacursed
  8. daiva-prahitaḥbeing inspired by the Supreme Lord
  9. satya-sandhamone who was fixed in his truthfulness
  10. manasvinamwho was of a highly elevated character
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: “devotees”, “worship”

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 8.20

    In this verse: “love”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 8.20

    In this verse: “understanding”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Is my worship becoming loving service, or remaining only routine?

Practice

During one act of worship today, pause and consciously offer it with love, asking the Lord for understanding.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayLoving Devotion Receives the Lord’s GuidanceThis 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 8.20.14? 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