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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
8.21.268.21.28

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.21.27

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

हाहाकारो महानासीद् रोदस्यो: सर्वतोदिशम् ।

निगृह्यमाणेऽसुरपतौ विष्णुना प्रभविष्णुना ॥ २७ ॥

hāhākāro mahān āsīd

rodasyoḥ sarvato diśam

nigṛhyamāṇe ’sura-patau

viṣṇunā prabhaviṣṇunā

Translation

When Bali Mahārāja was thus arrested by Lord Viṣṇu, who is the most powerful, there was a great roar of lamentation in all directions throughout the upper and lower planetary systems of the universe.

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.

Lamentation at Bali Mahārāja’s Arrest

  1. 1

    Bali Mahārāja was arrested by Lord Viṣṇu, who is the most powerful.

  2. 2

    His arrest brought forth a great roar of lamentation.

  3. 3

    This lamentation spread in all directions throughout the upper and lower planetary systems.

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. hāhā-kāraḥa tumultuous roar of lamentation
  2. mahāngreat
  3. āsītthere was
  4. rodasyoḥin both the lower and upper planetary systems
  5. sarvataḥeverywhere
  6. diśamall directions
  7. nigṛhyamāṇebecause of being suppressed
  8. asura-patauwhen Bali Mahārāja, the King of the demons
  9. viṣṇunāby Lord Viṣṇu
  10. prabhaviṣṇunāwho is the most powerful everywhere
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

  • Viraha · Longing in separation

    Love and remembrance experienced in apparent absence. · Theme in SB 8.21

    In this verse: “lamentation”

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

What strikes me about the widespread sorrow at Bali Mahārāja’s arrest?

Practice

Read the translation slowly once, noting both Lord Viṣṇu’s power and the lamentation surrounding the arrest.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayLamentation at Bali Mahārāja’s ArrestThis 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 8.21.27? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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