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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 22: Bali Mahārāja Surrenders His Life
8.22.278.22.29-30

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.22.28

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
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

एष दानवदैत्यानामग्रणी: कीर्तिवर्धन: ।

अजैषीदजयां मायां सीदन्नपि न मुह्यति ॥ २८ ॥

eṣa dānava-daityānām

agranīḥ kīrti-vardhanaḥ

ajaiṣīd ajayāṁ māyāṁ

sīdann api na muhyati

Translation

Bali Mahārāja has become the most famous among the demons and nonbelievers, for in spite of being bereft of all material opulences, he is fixed in his devotional service.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Remain Steady in Devotion Through Adversity

  1. 1

    Bali Mahārāja became famous among the demons and nonbelievers because he remained fixed in devotional service after losing all material opulences.

  2. 2

    A devotee may encounter adversity while serving the Lord. Such difficulties can bring lamentation and grief.

  3. 3

    By the grace of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, a devotee can understand even severe adversity as an examination. Bali Mahārāja passed these tests without becoming bewildered.

Key points from the purport
  • In this verse, the words sīdann api na muhyati are very important.
  • A devotee is sometimes put into adversity while executing devotional service.
  • Bali Mahārāja passed all such examinations, as explained in the following verses.

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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. eṣaḥthis Bali Mahārāja
  2. dānava-daityānāmamong the demons and unbelievers
  3. agranīḥthe foremost devotee
  4. kīrti-vardhanaḥthe most famous
  5. ajaiṣīthas already surpassed
  6. ajayāmthe insurmountable
  7. māyāmmaterial energy
  8. sīdanbeing bereft (of all material opulences)
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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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

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

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 8.22

    In this verse: “grace”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

When difficulties arise, what helps me remain steady in devotional service?

Practice

Continue one small act of devotional service today despite a difficulty, asking the Lord for grace.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRemain Steady in Devotion Through AdversityThis 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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