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
8.22.318.22.33

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.22.32

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Lordsince 8.22.31inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

तावत् सुतलमध्यास्तां विश्वकर्मविनिर्मितम् ।

यदाधयो व्याधयश्च क्लमस्तन्द्रा पराभव: ।

नोपसर्गा निवसतां सम्भवन्ति ममेक्षया ॥ ३२ ॥

tāvat sutalam adhyāstāṁ

viśvakarma-vinirmitam

yad ādhayo vyādhayaś ca

klamas tandrā parābhavaḥ

nopasargā nivasatāṁ

sambhavanti mamekṣayā

Translation

Until Bali Mahārāja achieves the position of King of heaven, he shall live on the planet Sutala, which was made by Viśvakarmā according to My order. Because it is especially protected by Me, it is free from mental and bodily miseries, fatigue, dizziness, defeat and all other disturbances. Bali Mahārāja, you may now go live there peacefully.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Peace Through the Lord’s Special Protection

  1. 1

    Until becoming King of heaven, Bali Mahārāja would live on Sutala. Viśvakarmā constructed his residence there according to the Lord’s order.

  2. 2

    The Lord’s special protection made Sutala free from mental and bodily miseries, fatigue, defeat and other disturbances. Bali Mahārāja was invited to live there peacefully.

  3. 3

    Śrīla Prabhupāda describes Sutala’s palaces as at least equal to those in heaven. He emphasizes the Vedic descriptions of extraordinary dwellings on other planets rather than accounts limited to rocks and sand.

Key points from the purport
  • Viśvakarmā is the engineer or architect for the palatial buildings in the heavenly planets.
  • Therefore, since he was engaged to construct the residential quarters of Bali Mahārāja, the buildings and palaces on the planet Sutala must at least equal those on the heavenly planets.
  • These are all extraordinary features of the planet Sutala, where Bali Mahārāja would live.

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:

Since Bali Mahārāja had given everything to the Lord, they prayed for his release. The Lord then described how a nondevotee’s possession of wealth is a danger whereas a devotee’s opulence is a benediction from the 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. tāvatas long as you are not in the post of Lord Indra
  2. sutalamin the planet known as Sutala
  3. adhyāstāmgo live there and occupy the place
  4. viśvakarma-vinirmitamwhich is especially created by Viśvakarmā
  5. yatwherein
  6. ādhayaḥmiseries pertaining to the mind
  7. vyādhayaḥmiseries pertaining to the body
  8. caalso
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 8.22

    In this verse: “protected”, “protection”

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

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

    In this verse: “free from”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 8.22

    In this verse: “king”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does Bali Mahārāja’s protected residence teach me about the Lord’s care?

Practice

Reread the Lord’s invitation to live peacefully and take a moment to appreciate His care for Bali Mahārāja.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayPeace Through the Lord’s Special ProtectionThis 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 8.22.32? 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