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
8.20.88.20.10

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.20.9

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Bali Mahārājasince 8.20.2inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

सुलभा युधि विप्रर्षे ह्यनिवृत्तास्तनुत्यज: ।

न तथा तीर्थ आयाते श्रद्धया ये धनत्यज: ॥ ९ ॥

sulabhā yudhi viprarṣe

hy anivṛttās tanu-tyajaḥ

na tathā tīrtha āyāte

śraddhayā ye dhana-tyajaḥ

Translation

O best of the brāhmaṇas, many men have laid down their lives on the battlefield, being unafraid of fighting, but rarely has one gotten the chance to give his accumulated wealth faithfully to a saintly person who creates holy places.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Giving Everything for the Supreme Lord

  1. 1

    Many warriors have given their lives on the battlefield, but few have given all their accumulated wealth to a worthy recipient.

  2. 2

    Charity in goodness is given out of duty, at the proper time and place, to a worthy person, without expecting a return.

  3. 3

    Transcendental charity goes beyond goodness: everything is sacrificed for the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Recognizing this rare opportunity, Bali Mahārāja decided to give Vāmanadeva whatever He wanted.

Key points from the purport
  • Many kṣatriyas have laid down their lives on the battlefield for their nations, but hardly a person can be found who has given up all his property and his accumulated wealth in charity to a person worthy of the gift.
  • How could one get such an opportunity to give charity?
  • One may get various opportunities to lay down his life on the battlefield, but such an opportunity as this is hardly ever obtained.

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 8.20.9 quotesBG 17.20

As stated in Bhagavad-gītā (17.20): “That gift which is given out of duty, at the proper time and place, to a worthy person, and without expectation of return is considered to be charity in the mode of goodness.”

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:

Indeed, while engaged in such activities for the benefit of the general public, eminent men sometimes even sacrificed their lives. It is said that one who is glorious in his activities is always living and never dies.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 8.20
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. su-labhāḥvery easily obtained
  2. yudhiin the battlefield
  3. vipra-ṛṣeO best of the brāhmaṇas
  4. hiindeed
  5. anivṛttāḥnot being afraid of fighting
  6. tanu-tyajaḥand thus lay down their lives
  7. nanot
  8. tathāas
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “wealth”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 8.20

    In this verse: “duty”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

When I give, am I seeking a return or seeking to serve?

Practice

Make one small offering for the Lord's service today without expecting recognition or repayment.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayGiving Everything for the Supreme 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 8.20.9? 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