1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter

Canto

Canto 8 · Withdrawal of the Cosmic Creations · 24 chapters

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

How to study this verse, in six steps

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
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

8.21.30 8.21.32

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.21.31

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

पदैकेन मयाक्रान्तो भूर्लोक: खं दिशस्तनो: ।

स्वर्लोकस्ते द्वितीयेन पश्यतस्ते स्वमात्मना ॥ ३१ ॥

padaikena mayākrānto

bhūrlokaḥ khaṁ diśas tanoḥ

svarlokas te dvitīyena

paśyatas te svam ātmanā

Translation

Of these possessions, with one step I have occupied Bhūrloka, and with My body I have occupied the entire sky and all directions. And in your presence, with My second step, I have occupied the upper planetary system.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Vāmanadeva Occupies the Entire Planetary System

1
The purport describes the planets as moving from east to west, with the sun, moon and five other planets orbiting one above another.
2
With one step the Lord occupied Bhūrloka, and with His body He occupied the entire sky and all directions.
3
Before Bali Mahārāja’s eyes, the Lord’s second step occupied the upper planetary system. By expanding His body and extending His steps, Vāmanadeva occupied the entire planetary system.

Key points from the purport

According to the Vedic description of the planetary system, all the planets move from east to west.
The sun, the moon and five other planets, such as Mars and Jupiter, orbit one above another.
Vāmanadeva, however, expanding His body and extending His steps, occupied the entire planetary system.

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

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 summary Back to this verse in chapter 8.21