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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
8.21.228.21.24

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.21.23

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

भवद्भ‍िर्निर्जिता ह्येते बहुशोऽनुचरा हरे: ।

दैवेनर्द्धैस्त एवाद्य युधि जित्वा नदन्ति न: ॥ २३ ॥

bhavadbhir nirjitā hy ete

bahuśo ’nucarā hareḥ

daivenarddhais ta evādya

yudhi jitvā nadanti naḥ

Translation

Previously, being empowered by providence, you defeated a great number of such followers of Lord Viṣṇu. But today those same followers, having defeated us, are roaring in jubilation like lions.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Providence Is Stronger Than Personal Power

  1. 1

    Bhagavad-gītā mentions five causes of defeat or victory. Of these, daiva, or providence, is the most powerful.

  2. 2

    Bali Mahārāja knew that his earlier victories came because providence favored him. Now the followers of Lord Viṣṇu had defeated his side and were roaring like lions in jubilation.

  3. 3

    Since providence was no longer in his favor, Bali Mahārāja understood that victory was impossible. He therefore very intelligently forbade his associates to fight.

Key points from the purport
  • Bali Mahārāja knew the secret of how he had formerly been victorious because providence was in his favor.
  • Now, since that same providence was not in his favor, there was no possibility of his victory.
  • Thus he very intelligently forbade his associates to fight.

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 21: Bali Mahārāja Arrested by the Lord

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

All of them were defeated, however, by Lord Viṣṇu’s eternal associates, and, in accordance with Bali Mahārāja’s order, they all entered the lower planets of the universe. Understanding Lord Viṣṇu’s purpose, Garuḍa, the carrier of Lord Viṣṇu, immediately arrested Bali Mahārāja with the ropes of Varuṇa.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 8.21
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. bhavadbhiḥby all of you demons
  2. nirjitāḥhave been defeated
  3. hiindeed
  4. eteall these soldiers of the demigods
  5. bahuśaḥin great number
  6. anucarāḥfollowers
  7. hareḥof Lord Viṣṇu
  8. daivenaby providence
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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

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 8.21

    In this verse: “favored”

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

Can I recognize the role of providence instead of claiming success entirely as my own?

Practice

Recall one past success today and acknowledge that your own strength alone did not account for it.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayProvidence Is Stronger Than Personal PowerThis 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.

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