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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.
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Canto 8 · Chapter 22: Bali Mahārāja Surrenders His Life
8.22.248.22.26

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.22.25

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Supreme Personality of Godheadsince 8.22.24inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

यदा कदाचिज्जीवात्मा संसरन् निजकर्मभि: ।

नानायोनिष्वनीशोऽयं पौरुषीं गतिमाव्रजेत् ॥ २५ ॥

yadā kadācij jīvātmā

saṁsaran nija-karmabhiḥ

nānā-yoniṣv anīśo ’yaṁ

pauruṣīṁ gatim āvrajet

Translation

While rotating in the cycle of birth and death again and again in different species because of his own fruitive activities, the dependent living entity, by good fortune, may happen to become a human being. This human birth is very rarely obtained.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Use Rare Human Life Responsibly

  1. 1

    The living entity moves through different species because of his own fruitive activities. Human birth is a rare opportunity carrying great responsibility.

  2. 2

    The Supreme Personality of Godhead is fully independent. Losing wealth is not always a sign of His mercy; He acts according to circumstances as He chooses.

  3. 3

    The living entity is under the control of material nature, not free from all control. Kṛṣṇa consciousness teaches us to use life properly and act carefully.

Key points from the purport
  • Therefore every human being, especially one belonging to a civilized nation or culture, must be extremely responsible in his activities.
  • To see to the proper use of life is the purpose of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
  • He must therefore be most careful and responsible in the activities of his life.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 1

The purport of SB 8.22.25 quotesBG 13.22

Thus he meets with good and evil amongst various species.”

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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 22: Bali Mahārāja Surrenders His Life

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Indeed, they sometimes even sacrifice their lives for the satisfaction of the Lord, just to become His personal servants. Accordingly, by following in the footsteps of previous ācāryas and devotees, Bali Mahārāja perceived himself successful.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 8.22
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yadāwhen
  2. kadācitsometimes
  3. jīva-ātmāthe living entity
  4. saṁsaranrotating in the cycle of birth and death
  5. nija-karmabhiḥbecause of his own fruitive activities
  6. nānā-yoniṣuin different species of life
  7. anīśaḥnot independent (completely under the control of material nature)
  8. ayamthis living entity
  9. pauruṣīm gatimthe situation of being human
  10. āvrajetwants to obtain
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Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 8.22

    In this verse: “death”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 8.22

    In this verse: “wealth”, “material”

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 8.22

    In this verse: “free from”

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can I use this rare human life more responsibly?

Practice

Before one decision today, pause and ask whether it supports the proper use of your life in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayUse Rare Human Life ResponsiblyThis 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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