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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

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

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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

8.23.2 8.23.4

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.23.3

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 8.23.3inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

श्रीशुक उवाच

इत्युक्त्वा हरिमानत्य ब्रह्माणं सभवं तत: ।

विवेश सुतलं प्रीतो बलिर्मुक्त: सहासुरै: ॥ ३ ॥

śrī-śuka uvāca

ity uktvā harim ānatya

brahmāṇaṁ sabhavaṁ tataḥ

viveśa sutalaṁ prīto

balir muktaḥ sahāsuraiḥ

Translation

Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: After speaking in this way, Bali Mahārāja offered his obeisances first to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Hari, and then to Lord Brahmā and Lord Śiva. Thus he was released from the bondage of the nāga-pāśa [the ropes of Varuṇa], and in full satisfaction he entered the planet known as Sutala.

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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.

Respect and Satisfaction After Release

1
Bali Mahārāja first offered obeisances to Hari, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
2
He then offered obeisances to Lord Brahmā and Lord Śiva.
3
Released from the nāga-pāśa, the ropes of Varuṇa, he entered Sutala in full satisfaction.

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:

Being fixed in this conclusion, his heart full of ecstatic devotion and his eyes full of tears, he offered obeisances to the Personality of Godhead and then, with his associates, entered the planet known as Sutala. Thus the Supreme Personality of Godhead satisfied the desire of Aditi and reinstalled Lord Indra.

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