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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 21: Bali Mahārāja Arrested by the Lord

8.21.9 8.21.11

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.21.10

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 8.21.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

न वायं ब्रह्मबन्धुर्विष्णुर्मायाविनां वर: ।

द्विजरूपप्रतिच्छन्नो देवकार्यं चिकीर्षति ॥ १० ॥

na vāyaṁ brahma-bandhur

viṣṇur māyāvināṁ varaḥ

dvija-rūpa-praticchanno

deva-kāryaṁ cikīrṣati

Translation

“This Vāmana is certainly not a brāhmaṇa but the best of cheaters, Lord Viṣṇu. Assuming the form of a brāhmaṇa, He has covered His own form, and thus He is working for the interests of the demigods.

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.

The Followers Accuse Lord Viṣṇu

1
The followers identified Vāmana as Lord Viṣṇu, but called Him “the best of cheaters.” This accusation expresses their hostile view.
2
They claimed that He had assumed a brāhmaṇa’s form to cover His own form.
3
They said He was working for the interests of the demigods. Their words treated the Lord with suspicion rather than devotion.

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 21: Bali Mahārāja Arrested by the Lord

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Thus Lord Brahmā, accompanied by great sages like Marīci and the predominating deities of all the higher planets, offered humble prayers and worship to the Lord. They washed the Lord’s feet and worshiped Him with all paraphernalia.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in chapter 8.21

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

nanot
vāeither
ayamthis
brahma-bandhuḥVāmanadeva, in the form of a brāhmaṇa
viṣṇuḥHe is Lord Viṣṇu Himself
māyāvināmof all cheaters
varaḥthe greatest
dvija-rūpaby assuming the form of a brāhmaṇa

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 8.21
In this verse: “devotion”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Am I reading these accusations as the followers’ hostile words rather than as guidance for devotion?

Practice

Reread the verse and clearly identify which statements are the followers’ accusations.

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Followers Accuse Lord ViṣṇuThis 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 8.21.10? Get an answer from the verses themselves.

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