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

123456789101112131415161718192021222324

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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 22: Bali Mahārāja Surrenders His Life
8.22.268.22.28

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.22.27

Mukti· Liberation
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

मानस्तम्भनिमित्तानां जन्मादीनां समन्तत: ।

सर्वश्रेय:प्रतीपानां हन्त मुह्येन्न मत्पर: ॥ २७ ॥

māna-stambha-nimittānāṁ

janmādīnāṁ samantataḥ

sarva-śreyaḥ-pratīpānāṁ

hanta muhyen na mat-paraḥ

Translation

Although aristocratic birth and other such opulences are impediments to advancement in devotional service because they are causes of false prestige and pride, these opulences never disturb a pure devotee of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Choose Devotional Service Above Material Opulence

  1. 1

    High birth and other opulences can cause false prestige and obstruct devotional service. They do not bewilder a pure devotee fixed in serving the Lord.

  2. 2

    When Kuvera offered Dhruva Mahārāja a benediction, he asked to continue devotional service rather than receive more material opulence.

  3. 3

    The Lord need not deprive a steady devotee of wealth. He sometimes removes opulences gained through pious activities to remove pride or establish the devotee more fully in service.

Key points from the purport
  • Once Kuvera wanted to give Dhruva Mahārāja a benediction, but although Dhruva Mahārāja could have asked him for any amount of material opulence, he instead begged Kuvera that he might continue his devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
  • When a devotee is fixed in his devotional service, there is no need for the Lord to deprive him of his material opulences.
  • The Supreme Personality of Godhead never takes away material opulences achieved because of devotional service, although He sometimes takes away opulences achieved by pious activities.

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

Further reading

Chapter 22: Bali Mahārāja Surrenders His Life

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Bali Mahārāja specifically remembered the determination of Prahlāda Mahārāja in devotional service. Considering all these points, he decided to give his head in charity as the place for Viṣṇu’s third step.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 8.22
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. mānaof false prestige
  2. stambhabecause of this impudence
  3. nimittānāmwhich are the causes
  4. janma-ādīnāmsuch as birth in a high family
  5. samantataḥtaken together
  6. sarva-śreyaḥfor the supreme benefit of life
  7. pratīpānāmwhich are impediments
  8. hantaalso
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 8.22

    In this verse: “devotional service”, “devotee”

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 8.22

    In this verse: “pride”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “wealth”, “material”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Do I value continued devotional service more than greater material comfort?

Practice

Offer a short prayer today asking to remain steady in devotional service rather than asking for more possessions.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 8.22's connections

Live this todayChoose Devotional Service Above Material OpulenceThis 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 8.22.27? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories