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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 21: Bali Mahārāja Arrested by the Lord
8.21.118.21.13

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.21.12

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 8.21.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

सत्यव्रतस्य सततं दीक्षितस्य विशेषत: ।

नानृतं भाषितुं शक्यं ब्रह्मण्यस्य दयावत: ॥ १२ ॥

satya-vratasya satataṁ

dīkṣitasya viśeṣataḥ

nānṛtaṁ bhāṣituṁ śakyaṁ

brahmaṇyasya dayāvataḥ

Translation

“Our lord, Bali Mahārāja, is always fixed in truthfulness, and this is especially so at present, since he has been initiated into performing a sacrifice. He is always kind and merciful toward the brāhmaṇas, and he cannot at any time speak lies.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

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

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Bali Remains Fixed in Truthfulness

  1. 1

    The followers described Bali Mahārāja as always fixed in truthfulness.

  2. 2

    His commitment to truth was especially strong while he was initiated into performing a sacrifice.

  3. 3

    Bali was always kind and merciful toward the brāhmaṇas. His followers said he could not speak lies at any time.

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 21: Bali Mahārāja Arrested by the Lord

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

They washed the Lord’s feet and worshiped Him with all paraphernalia. Ṛkṣarāja, Jāmbavān, played his bugle to vibrate the glories of the Lord.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 8.21
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. satya-vratasyaof Mahārāja Bali, who is fixed in truthfulness
  2. satatamalways
  3. dīkṣitasyaof he who was initiated into performing yajña
  4. viśeṣataḥspecifically
  5. nanot
  6. anṛtamuntruth
  7. bhāṣitumto speak
  8. śakyamis able
  9. brahmaṇyasyato the brahminical culture, or to the brāhmaṇa
  10. dayā-vataḥof he who is always kind
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

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 8.21

    In this verse: “merciful”

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

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

When is my commitment to speaking truth most tested?

Practice

In one difficult conversation today, speak truthfully and kindly.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayBali Remains Fixed in TruthfulnessThis 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 8.21.12? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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