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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 3: Gajendra’s Prayers of Surrender
8.3.108.3.12

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.3.11

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The King of the elephants, Gajendrasince 8.3.2inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

सत्त्वेन प्रतिलभ्याय नैष्कर्म्येण विपश्चिता ।

नम: कैवल्यनाथाय निर्वाणसुखसंविदे ॥ ११ ॥

sattvena pratilabhyāya

naiṣkarmyeṇa vipaścitā

namaḥ kaivalya-nāthāya

nirvāṇa-sukha-saṁvide

Translation

The Supreme Personality of Godhead is realized by pure devotees who act in the transcendental existence of bhakti-yoga. He is the bestower of uncontaminated happiness and is the master of the transcendental world. Therefore I offer my respect unto Him.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Know the Lord Through Devotional Service

  1. 1

    The Supreme Personality of Godhead can be understood only by devotional service. These activities are śuddha-sattva, beyond material goodness.

  2. 2

    Merely stopping material activity will not endure. Engaging in the spiritual activities of bhakti-yoga brings one beyond material action.

  3. 3

    Naiṣkarmya means fully engaging in Kṛṣṇa conscious activities without material desires for enjoyment now or later. Such service is performed under the direction of the spiritual master.

Key points from the purport
  • As stated in Bhagavad-gītā, the Supreme Personality of Godhead can be understood only by devotional service.
  • If one wants to know the Supreme Personality of Godhead in truth, one must take to the activities of devotional service.
  • Therefore, as stated here, sattvena pratilabhyāya naiṣkarmyeṇa vipaścitā: “The Supreme Personality of Godhead is realized by pure devotees who act in the transcendental existence of bhakti-yoga.”

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

Helplessness → Surrender and rescue. A mighty animal finally realizes the limits of strength.

Chapters 1–4 of Canto 8: Gajendra's struggle and prayers. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 3: Gajendra’s Prayers of Surrender

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Although the transcendental Supreme Personality of Godhead is perceivable by everyone, only the pure devotees perceive His presence and activities. The Supreme Personality of Godhead is completely free from material birth, death, old age and disease.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 8.3
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. sattvenaby pure devotional service
  2. prati-labhyāyaunto the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is achieved by such devotional activities
  3. naiṣkarmyeṇaby transcendental activities
  4. vipaścitāby persons who are sufficiently learned
  5. namaḥI offer my respectful obeisances
  6. kaivalya-nāthāyaunto the master of the transcendental world
  7. nirvāṇafor one completely freed from material activities
  8. sukhaof happiness
  9. saṁvidewho is the bestower
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Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 8.3

    In this verse: “devotees”, “bhakti-yoga”, “devotional service”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 8.3

    In this verse: “material”

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Am I seeking merely to stop material activity, or to engage positively in devotional service?

Practice

Spend a few minutes hearing about Kṛṣṇa, without asking for material enjoyment in return.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKnow the Lord Through Devotional ServiceThis 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 8.3.11? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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