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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
8.21.298.21.31

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.21.30

Sthāna· The universe in order
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 8.21.25inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

यावत् तपत्यसौ गोभिर्यावदिन्दु: सहोडुभि: ।

यावद् वर्षति पर्जन्यस्तावती भूरियं तव ॥ ३० ॥

yāvat tapaty asau gobhir

yāvad induḥ sahoḍubhiḥ

yāvad varṣati parjanyas

tāvatī bhūr iyaṁ tava

Translation

As far as the sun and moon shine with the stars and as far as the clouds pour rain, all the land throughout the universe is in your possession.

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.

The Vast Extent of Bali’s Possessions

  1. 1

    Bali Mahārāja’s possessions are described as all the land throughout the universe.

  2. 2

    Their extent reaches as far as the sun and moon shine with the stars.

  3. 3

    The description also includes all the land as far as the clouds pour rain.

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:

When Bali Mahārāja was thus reduced to a helpless position, Lord Viṣṇu asked him for the third step of land. Because Lord Viṣṇu appreciated Bali Mahārāja’s determination and integrity, when Bali Mahārāja was unable to fulfill his promise, Lord Viṣṇu ascertained that the place for him would be the planet Sutala, which is better than the planets of heaven.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 8.21
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yāvatas far as
  2. tapatiis shining
  3. asauthe sun
  4. gobhiḥby the sunshine
  5. yāvatas long or as far as
  6. induḥthe moon
  7. saha-uḍubhiḥwith the luminaries or stars
  8. yāvatas far as
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Sthāna · Planetary systems

    How is the universe arranged, and what is our right place in it? · Subject 3 of 10

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 does this description help me understand about the extent of Bali Mahārāja’s possessions?

Practice

Look at the sky today and recall the verse’s description of land beneath the sun, moon, stars and rain clouds.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Vast Extent of Bali’s PossessionsThis 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 8.21.30? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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