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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
8.3.188.3.20-21

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.3.19

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
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

यं धर्मकामार्थविमुक्तिकामा

भजन्त इष्टां गतिमाप्नुवन्ति ।

किं चाशिषो रात्यपि देहमव्ययं

करोतु मेऽदभ्रदयो विमोक्षणम् ॥ १९ ॥

yaṁ dharma-kāmārtha-vimukti-kāmā

bhajanta iṣṭāṁ gatim āpnuvanti

kiṁ cāśiṣo rāty api deham avyayaṁ

karotu me ’dabhra-dayo vimokṣaṇam

Translation

After worshiping the Supreme Personality of Godhead, those who are interested in the four principles of religion, economic development, sense gratification and liberation obtain from Him what they desire. What then is to be said of other benedictions? Indeed, sometimes the Lord gives a spiritual body to such ambitious worshipers. May that Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is unlimitedly merciful, bestow upon me the benediction of liberation from this present danger and from the materialistic way of life.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Take Shelter Through Devotional Service

  1. 1

    Whether one desires no material profit, every material benefit or liberation, one should offer obedient devotional service to the Lord.

  2. 2

    Kṛṣṇa is situated in everyone's heart and reciprocates with those who surrender to Him. The Supreme Personality of Godhead does not disappoint anyone who takes shelter of His lotus feet.

  3. 3

    Gajendra sought release not only from his immediate danger but also from materialistic life. His prayer appeals to the Lord's unlimited mercy.

Key points from the purport
  • Some men within this material world are akāmī, free from material desire, some are ambitious to get more and more material profit, and some desire fulfillment in religious life, economic development, sense gratification and finally liberation.
  • Even such a devotee as Dhruva Mahārāja wanted the material benediction of a kingdom greater than that of his father, and although he received a spiritual body, he also got the kingdom, for the Supreme Personality of Godhead does not disappoint anyone who takes shelter of His lotus feet.
  • Therefore, since Gajendra, King of the elephants, had surrendered to the Supreme Personality of Godhead to get free from the present danger and, indirectly, from the present danger of materialistic life, why should the Supreme Personality of Godhead not fulfill his desire?

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

Connected verses· 2

The purport of SB 8.3.19 quotesSB 2.3.10

yajeta puruṣaṁ param. It is recommended that whatever one’s position — whether one demands no material profit, all material profit or ultimately liberation — one should offer his obedient devotional service to the Lord, and one will get what he desires.

The purport of SB 8.3.19 quotesBG 18.61

“The Supreme Lord is situated in everyone’s heart, O Arjuna, and is directing the wanderings of all living entities, who are seated as on a machine, made of the material energy.”

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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:

He is the source of our knowledge, and He can give us liberation. Therefore it is our duty to understand Him according to the instructions of devotees, in particular the spiritual master.
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. yamthe Supreme Personality of Godhead who
  2. dharma-kāma-artha-vimukti-kāmāḥpersons who desire the four principles of religion, economic development, sense gratification and salvation
  3. bhajantaḥby worshiping
  4. iṣṭāmthe objective
  5. gatimdestination
  6. āpnuvantican achieve
  7. kimwhat to speak of
  8. caalso
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “sense gratification”, “materialistic”, “material”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 8.3

    In this verse: “religion”, “principles”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 8.3

    In this verse: “merciful”, “mercy”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Do my prayers seek only relief from present trouble, or also freedom from materialistic life?

Practice

Offer one prayer asking for freedom from materialistic life, not merely relief from a current difficulty.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 8.3's connections

Live this todayTake Shelter 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 8.3.19? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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