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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
8.20.148.20.16

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.20.15

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 8.20.14inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

द‍ृढं पण्डितमान्यज्ञ: स्तब्धोऽस्यस्मदुपेक्षया ।

मच्छासनातिगो यस्त्वमचिराद्भ्रश्यसे श्रिय: ॥ १५ ॥

dṛḍhaṁ paṇḍita-māny ajñaḥ

stabdho ’sy asmad-upekṣayā

mac-chāsanātigo yas tvam

acirād bhraśyase śriyaḥ

Translation

Although you have no knowledge, you have become a so-called learned person, and therefore you dare be so impudent as to disobey my order. Because of disobeying me, you shall very soon be bereft of all your opulence.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Trust the Lord Beyond Material Opulence

  1. 1

    Śukrācārya accused Bali Mahārāja of false learning, but the purport explains that he was honored by learned persons. His genuine understanding enabled him to reject his so-called spiritual master’s order.

  2. 2

    Bali Mahārāja had no fear of any condition of material existence. One cared for by Lord Viṣṇu need not depend on anyone else.

  3. 3

    Opulence given by the Supreme Personality of Godhead cannot be compared with wealth gained through fruitive activity. The former is not vanquished, while the latter may disappear at any moment.

Key points from the purport
  • And because he was so learned, he could disobey the order of his so-called spiritual master.
  • Thus Bali Mahārāja could never be bereft of all opulences.
  • In other words, if a devotee becomes very opulent, it is to be understood that his opulence is a gift of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. dṛḍhamso firmly convinced or fixed in your decision
  2. paṇḍita-mānīconsidering yourself very learned
  3. ajñaḥat the same time foolish
  4. stabdhaḥimpudent
  5. asiyou have become
  6. asmatof us
  7. upekṣayāby disregarding
  8. mat-śāsana-atigaḥsurpassing the jurisdiction of my administration
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Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “knowledge”, “understanding”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 8.20

    In this verse: “wealth”, “material”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 8.20

    In this verse: “fear”

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Where do I seek security: in material possessions or in Lord Viṣṇu’s care?

Practice

When a worry about possessions arises today, pause and remember Bali Mahārāja’s confidence in Lord Viṣṇu’s care.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayTrust the Lord Beyond Material OpulenceThis 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 8.20.15? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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