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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

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
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 23: The Demigods Regain the Heavenly Planets

8.23.17 8.23.19

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.23.18

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 8.23.18inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

श्रीशुक उवाच

प्रतिनन्द्य हरेराज्ञामुशना भगवानिति ।

यज्ञच्छिद्रं समाधत्त बलेर्विप्रर्षिभि: सह ॥ १८ ॥

śrī-śuka uvāca

pratinandya harer ājñām

uśanā bhagavān iti

yajña-cchidraṁ samādhatta

baler viprarṣibhiḥ saha

Translation

Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: In this way, the most powerful Śukrācārya accepted the order of the Supreme Personality of Godhead with full respect. Along with the best brāhmaṇas, he began to compensate for the discrepancies in the sacrifices performed by Bali Mahārāja.

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This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Respectful Acceptance Leads to Action

1
Although most powerful, Śukrācārya accepted the Supreme Personality of Godhead’s order with full respect.
2
He worked alongside the best brāhmaṇas to carry out that order.
3
He began compensating for discrepancies in Bali Mahārāja’s sacrifices. His respectful acceptance was followed by practical work.

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

Chapter 23: The Demigods Regain the Heavenly Planets

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

The Lord then ordered Śukrācārya to describe Bali Mahārāja’s faults and discrepancies in executing the sacrificial ceremony. Śukrācārya became free from fruitive actions by chanting the holy name of the Lord, and he explained how chanting can diminish all the faults of the conditioned soul.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in chapter 8.23