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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 24: Matsya, the Lord’s Fish Incarnation
8.24.578.24.59

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.24.58

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 8.24.54inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

स तु सत्यव्रतो राजा ज्ञानविज्ञानसंयुत: ।

विष्णो: प्रसादात् कल्पेऽस्मिन्नासीद् वैवस्वतो मनु: ॥ ५८ ॥

sa tu satyavrato rājā

jñāna-vijñāna-saṁyutaḥ

viṣṇoḥ prasādāt kalpe ’sminn

āsīd vaivasvato manuḥ

Translation

King Satyavrata was illuminated with all Vedic knowledge by the mercy of Lord Viṣṇu, and in this period he has now taken birth as Vaivasvata Manu, the son of the sun-god.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Spiritual Knowledge Comes Through the Lord’s Mercy

  1. 1

    By Lord Viṣṇu’s mercy, Satyavrata received instructions from the second fish incarnation and became enlightened in all spiritual knowledge.

  2. 2

    Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura explains that Satyavrata appeared in the Cākṣuṣa-manvantara. When that period ended, the period of Vaivasvata Manu began.

  3. 3

    Satyavrata has now taken birth as Vaivasvata Manu, the son of the sun-god.

Key points from the purport
  • Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura gives his verdict that Satyavrata appeared in the Cākṣuṣa- manvantara.
  • When the Cākṣuṣa- manvantara ended, the period of Vaivasvata Manu began.
  • By the grace of Lord Viṣṇu, Satyavrata received instructions from the second fish incarnation and was thus enlightened in all spiritual knowledge.

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

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:

King Satyavrata took his next birth as Vaivasvata Manu, who is mentioned in Bhagavad-gītā. Vivasvān manave prāha: the sun-god spoke the science of Bhagavad-gītā to his son Manu.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 8.24
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. saḥhe
  2. tuindeed
  3. satyavrataḥSatyavrata
  4. rājāthe King
  5. jñāna-vijñāna-saṁyutaḥenlightened in full knowledge and its practical use
  6. viṣṇoḥof Lord Viṣṇu
  7. prasādātby the mercy
  8. kalpe asminin this period (ruled by Vaivasvata Manu)
  9. āsītbecame
  10. vaivasvataḥ manuḥVaivasvata Manu
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 8.24

    In this verse: “mercy”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 8.24

    In this verse: “knowledge”

  • 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

Do I recognize spiritual understanding as a gift of the Lord’s mercy?

Practice

Before studying today, ask Lord Viṣṇu for the mercy to understand His instructions.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySpiritual Knowledge Comes Through the Lord’s MercyThis 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 8.24.58? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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