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

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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Texts 8.22.29-30

Who is speaking and story frame

क्षीणरिक्थश्‍च्युत: स्थानात् क्षिप्तो बद्धश्च शत्रुभि: ।

ज्ञातिभिश्च परित्यक्तो यातनामनुयापित: ॥ २९ ॥

गुरुणा भर्त्सित: शप्तो जहौ सत्यं न सुव्रत: ।

छलैरुक्तो मया धर्मो नायं त्यजति सत्यवाक् ॥ ३० ॥

kṣīṇa-rikthaś cyutaḥ sthānāt

kṣipto baddhaś ca śatrubhiḥ

jñātibhiś ca parityakto

yātanām anuyāpitaḥ

guruṇā bhartsitaḥ śapto

jahau satyaṁ na suvrataḥ

chalair ukto mayā dharmo

nāyaṁ tyajati satya-vāk

Translation

Although bereft of his riches, fallen from his original position, defeated and arrested by his enemies, rebuked and deserted by his relatives and friends, although suffering the pain of being bound and although rebuked and cursed by his spiritual master, Bali Mahārāja, being fixed in his vow, did not give up his truthfulness. It was certainly with pretension that I spoke about religious principles, but he did not give up religious principles, for he is true to his word.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Lord Gives Strength to Endure

  1. 1

    Bali Mahārāja lost his wealth and position, was bound by enemies and was deserted by relatives and friends. Even when rebuked and cursed by his spiritual master, he remained truthful and fixed in his vow.

  2. 2

    The Supreme Personality of Godhead subjected him to an almost unbearable test. The Lord also gave him the strength to tolerate it and remain a glorious devotee.

  3. 3

    The Lord appreciates His devotee’s forbearance. Bali Mahārāja’s endurance was recorded for his future glorification and showed the Lord’s mercy.

Key points from the purport
  • Bali Mahārāja passed the severe test put before him by the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
  • The Supreme Personality of Godhead sometimes puts a devotee to severe tests that are almost unbearable.
  • That Bali Mahārāja endured all these severe tests and austerities is the mercy of the Supreme Lord.

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:

While Bali Mahārāja, having been arrested by the ropes of Varuṇa, was offering prayers to the Lord, his grandfather Prahlāda Mahārāja appeared there and described how the Supreme Personality of Godhead had delivered Bali Mahārāja by taking his possessions in a tricky way. While Prahlāda Mahārāja was present, Lord Brahmā and Bali’s wife, Vindhyāvali, described the supremacy of the Supreme Lord.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 8.22
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. kṣīṇa-rikthaḥalthough bereft of all riches
  2. cyutaḥfallen
  3. sthānātfrom his superior position
  4. kṣiptaḥforcefully thrown away
  5. baddhaḥ caand forcefully bound
  6. śatrubhiḥby his enemies
  7. jñātibhiḥ caand by his family members or relatives
  8. parityaktaḥdeserted
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 8.22

    In this verse: “religious”, “principles”

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

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

    In this verse: “give up”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 8.22

    In this verse: “suffering”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can I remain truthful while depending on the Lord for strength?

Practice

Keep one truthful commitment today, asking the Lord for the patience needed to fulfill it.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord Gives Strength to EndureThis 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 8.22.29-30? Get an answer from the verses themselves.