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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

8.23.1 8.23.3

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.23.2

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:Bali Mahārājasince 8.23.2inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

श्रीबलिरुवाच

अहो प्रणामाय कृत: समुद्यम:

प्रपन्नभक्तार्थविधौ समाहित: ।

यल्ल‍ोकपालैस्त्वदनुग्रहोऽमरै-

रलब्धपूर्वोऽपसदेऽसुरेऽर्पित: ॥ २ ॥

śrī-balir uvāca

aho praṇāmāya kṛtaḥ samudyamaḥ

prapanna-bhaktārtha-vidhau samāhitaḥ

yal loka-pālais tvad-anugraho ’marair

alabdha-pūrvo ’pasade ’sure ’rpitaḥ

Translation

Bali Mahārāja said: What a wonderful effect there is in even attempting to offer respectful obeisances to You! I merely endeavored to offer You obeisances, but nonetheless the attempt was as successful as those of pure devotees. The causeless mercy You have shown to me, a fallen demon, was never achieved even by the demigods or the leaders of the various planets.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Lord Welcomes Sincere Devotion

1
Bali Mahārāja wanted to offer Vāmanadeva obeisances, but the presence of Śukrācārya and other demoniac associates prevented him. Even his inward attempt brought extraordinary mercy.
2
The Lord is called bhāva-grāhī janārdana because He accepts the essence of a devotee’s attitude. As the Supersoul, He immediately understands sincere surrender.
3
Even when a devotee cannot externally render full service, the Lord welcomes service offered with inner sincerity and seriousness.

Key points from the purport

When Vāmanadeva appeared before Bali Mahārāja, Bali Mahārāja immediately wanted to offer Him respectful obeisances, but he was unable to do so because of the presence of Śukrācārya and other demoniac associates.
The Lord is so merciful, however, that although Bali Mahārāja did not actually offer obeisances but only endeavored to do so within his mind, the Supreme Personality of Godhead blessed him with more mercy than even the demigods could ever expect.
Thus the Lord is known as bhāva-grāhī janārdana because He takes the essence of one’s devotional mentality.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 1

The purport of SB 8.23.2 quotesBG 2.40

As confirmed in Bhagavad-gītā (2.40), svalpam apy asya dharmasya trāyate mahato bhayāt: “Even a little advancement on this path can protect one from the most dangerous type of fear.”

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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:

In this way he described the unlimited causeless mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Then, with folded hands, he offered his respectful obeisances unto the Lord, and after circumambulating the Lord he also entered the planet Sutala in accordance with the Lord’s order.

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

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

śrī-baliḥ uvācaBali Mahārāja said
ahoalas
praṇāmāyato offer my respectful obeisances
kṛtaḥI did
samudyamaḥonly an endeavor
prapanna-bhakta-artha-vidhauin the regulative principles observed by pure devotees
samāhitaḥis capable
yatthat

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
Kṛpā · Divine mercy
Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 8.23
In this verse: “mercy”, “causeless”
Bhakti · Devotion and loving service
How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 8.23
In this verse: “devotees”, “devotee’s”
Śaraṇāgati · Wholehearted surrender
Relinquishing ownership while entrusting oneself to the Lord. · Theme in SB 8.23
In this verse: “surrender”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Am I bringing sincerity and seriousness to the service I can offer?

Practice

Offer respectful obeisances to the Lord, inwardly expressing your sincere wish to serve Him.

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord Welcomes Sincere DevotionThis 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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