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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 23: The Demigods Regain the Heavenly Planets
8.23.20-218.23.24

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Texts 8.23.22-23

Āśraya· The supreme shelter
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 8.23.18inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

वेदानां सर्वदेवानां धर्मस्य यशस: श्रिय: ।

मङ्गलानां व्रतानां च कल्पं स्वर्गापवर्गयो: ॥ २२ ॥

उपेन्द्रं कल्पयांचक्रे पतिं सर्वविभूतये ।

तदा सर्वाणि भूतानि भृशं मुमुदिरे नृप ॥ २३ ॥

vedānāṁ sarva-devānāṁ

dharmasya yaśasaḥ śriyaḥ

maṅgalānāṁ vratānāṁ ca

kalpaṁ svargāpavargayoḥ

upendraṁ kalpayāṁ cakre

patiṁ sarva-vibhūtaye

tadā sarvāṇi bhūtāni

bhṛśaṁ mumudire nṛpa

Translation

O King Parīkṣit, Indra was considered the King of all the universe, but the demigods, headed by Lord Brahmā, wanted Upendra, Lord Vāmanadeva, as the protector of the Vedas, the principles of religion, fame, opulence, auspiciousness, vows, elevation to the higher planetary system, and liberation. Thus they accepted Upendra, Lord Vāmanadeva, as the supreme master of everything. This decision made all living entities extremely happy.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

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

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Supreme Master Brings Happiness to All

  1. 1

    Although Indra was considered king of the universe, the demigods headed by Lord Brahmā accepted Upendra, Lord Vāmanadeva, as the supreme master of everything.

  2. 2

    They wanted Him as protector of the Vedas, religious principles, fame, opulence, auspiciousness and vows. His protection also extended to elevation to the higher planetary system and liberation.

  3. 3

    Their decision to accept Lord Vāmanadeva as supreme master made all living entities extremely happy.

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 23: The Demigods Regain the Heavenly Planets

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

They accepted the Supreme Personality of Godhead as the maintainer of all the affairs of the universe. Being very happy, Indra, along with his associates, placed Vāmanadeva before him and reentered the heavenly planet in their airplane.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 8.23
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. vedānām(for the protection) of all the Vedas
  2. sarva-devānāmof all the demigods
  3. dharmasyaof all principles of religion
  4. yaśasaḥof all fame
  5. śriyaḥof all opulences
  6. maṅgalānāmof all auspiciousness
  7. vratānām caand of all vows
  8. kalpamthe most expert
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Āśraya · The summum bonum

    Who is the shelter of everything? · Subject 10 of 10

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 8.23

    In this verse: “religion”, “principles”, “religious”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 8.23

    In this verse: “king”

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 8.23

    In this verse: “protector”

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

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What would it mean for me to acknowledge the Lord as master of everything, rather than only one part of my life?

Practice

Offer a brief prayer acknowledging Lord Vāmanadeva as supreme master and expressing your wish to serve Him.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Supreme Master Brings Happiness to AllThis 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 8.23.22-23? Get an answer from the verses themselves.