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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

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
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

8.20.15 8.20.17

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.20.16

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 8.20.16inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

एवं शप्त: स्वगुरुणा सत्यान्न चलितो महान् ।

वामनाय ददावेनामर्चित्वोदकपूर्वकम् ॥ १६ ॥

evaṁ śaptaḥ sva-guruṇā

satyān na calito mahān

vāmanāya dadāv enām

arcitvodaka-pūrvakam

Translation

Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: Even after being cursed in this way by his own spiritual master, Bali Mahārāja, being a great personality, never deviated from his determination. Therefore, according to custom, he first offered water to Vāmanadeva and then offered Him the gift of land he had promised.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Keep Your Promise to the Lord

1
Even after his own spiritual master cursed him, Bali Mahārāja did not waver in his determination.
2
Following custom, he first offered water to Vāmanadeva.
3
He then gave the Lord the land he had promised. His determination became a completed offering.

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

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 summary Back to this verse in chapter 8.20

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

evamin this way
śaptaḥbeing cursed
sva-guruṇāby his own spiritual master
satyātfrom truthfulness
nanot
calitaḥwho moved
mahānthe great personality
vāmanāyaunto Lord Vāmanadeva

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

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What small commitment in devotional service can I faithfully fulfill despite difficulty?

Practice

Complete one small act of devotional service that you have already resolved to do.

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKeep Your Promise to 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 8.20.16? Get an answer from the verses themselves.

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