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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
8.20.58.20.7

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.20.6

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Bali Mahārājasince 8.20.2inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

यद् यद्धास्यति लोकेऽस्मिन्सम्परेतं धनादिकम् ।

तस्य त्यागे निमित्तं किं विप्रस्तुष्येन्न तेन चेत् ॥ ६ ॥

yad yad dhāsyati loke ’smin

samparetaṁ dhanādikam

tasya tyāge nimittaṁ kiṁ

vipras tuṣyen na tena cet

Translation

My lord, you can also see that all the material opulences of this world are certainly separated from their possessor at death. Therefore, if the brāhmaṇa Vāmanadeva is not satisfied by whatever gifts one has given, why not please Him with the riches one is destined to lose at death?

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Use Temporary Wealth to Please the Lord

  1. 1

    All material riches are separated from their possessor at death. Bali Mahārāja asks why those riches should not be used to please Vāmanadeva.

  2. 2

    As a pure devotee, Bali Mahārāja had already decided to give all the land to Lord Viṣṇu.

  3. 3

    He did not state his decision openly because it would hurt Śukrācārya and the asuras. His carefully chosen words concealed his firm devotional resolve.

Key points from the purport
  • The word vipra means brāhmaṇa, and at the same time “confidential.”
  • Bali Mahārāja had confidentially decided to give the gift to Lord Vāmanadeva without discussion, but because such a decision would hurt the hearts of the asuras and his spiritual master, Śukrācārya, he spoke equivocally.
  • Bali Mahārāja, as a pure devotee, had already decided to give all the land to Lord Viṣṇu.

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:

To lie or fail to honor a promise given to a brahmacārī is never proper, for lying is the most sinful activity. Everyone should be afraid of the sinful reactions to lying, for mother earth cannot even bear the weight of a sinful liar.
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. yat yatwhatsoever
  2. hāsyatiwill leave
  3. lokein the world
  4. asminin this
  5. samparetamone who is already dead
  6. dhana-ādikamhis wealth and riches
  7. tasyaof such wealth
  8. tyāgein renunciation
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Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotional”, “devotee”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

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

    In this verse: “death”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How could I use something temporary in my possession to please the Lord?

Practice

Set aside one small resource you possess for the Lord's service today.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayUse Temporary Wealth to Please 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 8.20.6? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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