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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
8.21.248.21.26

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.21.25

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 8.21.25inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

श्रीशुक उवाच

पत्युर्निगदितं श्रुत्वा दैत्यदानवयूथपा: ।

रसां निर्विविशू राजन् विष्णुपार्षदताडिता: ॥ २५ ॥

śrī-śuka uvāca

patyur nigaditaṁ śrutvā

daitya-dānava-yūthapāḥ

rasāṁ nirviviśū rājan

viṣṇu-pārṣada tāḍitāḥ

Translation

Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: O King, in accordance with the order of their master, Bali Mahārāja, all the chiefs of the demons and the Daityas entered the lower regions of the universe, to which they were driven by the soldiers of Viṣṇu.

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.

Following the Order to Withdraw

  1. 1

    The chiefs of the demons and the Daityas heard the order of their master, Bali Mahārāja.

  2. 2

    They followed his order and entered the lower regions of the universe.

  3. 3

    The soldiers of Viṣṇu drove them there; the chiefs did not continue their resistance.

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
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śrī-śukaḥ uvācaŚrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said
  2. patyuḥof their master (Bali Mahārāja)
  3. nigaditamwhat had been thus described
  4. śrutvāafter hearing
  5. daitya-dānava-yūtha-pāḥthe leaders of the Daityas and demons
  6. rasāmthe lower regions of the universe
  7. nirviviśūḥentered
  8. rājanO King
  9. viṣṇu-pārṣadaby the associates of Lord Viṣṇu
  10. tāḍitāḥdriven
3

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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 8.21

    In this verse: “king”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 8.21

    In this verse: “heard”

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

How do I respond when responsible guidance asks me to step back?

Practice

In one disagreement today, practice stepping back instead of prolonging resistance.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayFollowing the Order to WithdrawThis 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 8.21.25? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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