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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.
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Canto 8 · Chapter 24: Matsya, the Lord’s Fish Incarnation
8.24.448.24.46

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.24.45

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The saintly brāhmaṇas, being pleased with the Kingsince 8.24.43inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

निबध्य नावं तच्छृङ्गे यथोक्तो हरिणा पुरा ।

वरत्रेणाहिना तुष्टस्तुष्टाव मधुसूदनम् ॥ ४५ ॥

nibadhya nāvaṁ tac-chṛṅge

yathokto hariṇā purā

varatreṇāhinā tuṣṭas

tuṣṭāva madhusūdanam

Translation

Following the instructions formerly given by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the King anchored the boat to the fish’s horn, using the serpent Vāsuki as a rope. Thus being satisfied, he began offering prayers to the Lord.

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.

Follow the Lord’s Instructions and Offer Prayers

  1. 1

    The King acted according to the instructions previously given by the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

  2. 2

    He anchored the boat to the fish’s horn, using the serpent Vāsuki as a rope.

  3. 3

    Being satisfied, the King began offering prayers to the Lord. His obedience was followed by prayer.

How it feels

Catastrophe → Trust and protection. Divine guardianship amid destruction closes the canto.

Chapter 24 of Canto 8: Matsya preserves life and knowledge. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 24: Matsya, the Lord’s Fish Incarnation

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

The Personality of Godhead, being pleased with the King, informed him that within a week there would be an inundation throughout the universe and that the fish incarnation would protect the King, along with the ṛṣis, herbs, seeds and other living entities, in a boat, which would be attached to the fish’s horn. After saying this, the Lord disappeared.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 8.24
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. nibadhyaanchoring
  2. nāvamthe boat
  3. tat-śṛṅgeonto the horn of the big fish
  4. yathā-uktaḥas advised
  5. hariṇāby the Supreme Personality of Godhead
  6. purābefore
  7. varatreṇaused as a rope
  8. ahināby the great serpent (of the name Vāsuki)
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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 8.24

    In this verse: “king”

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

How can I give more care to following the Lord’s instructions?

Practice

Offer a brief prayer expressing your willingness to follow the Lord’s instructions.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayFollow the Lord’s Instructions and Offer PrayersThis 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 8.24.45? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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