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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
8.3.308.3.32

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.3.31

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 8.3.30inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

तं तद्वदार्तमुपलभ्य जगन्निवास:

स्तोत्रं निशम्य दिविजै: सह संस्तुवद्भ‍ि: ।

छन्दोमयेन गरुडेन समुह्यमान-

श्चक्रायुधोऽभ्यगमदाशु यतो गजेन्द्र: ॥ ३१ ॥

taṁ tadvad ārtam upalabhya jagan-nivāsaḥ

stotraṁ niśamya divijaiḥ saha saṁstuvadbhiḥ

chandomayena garuḍena samuhyamānaś

cakrāyudho ’bhyagamad āśu yato gajendraḥ

Translation

After understanding the awkward condition of Gajendra, who had offered his prayers, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Hari, who lives everywhere, appeared with the demigods, who were offering prayers to Him. Carrying His disc and other weapons, He appeared there on the back of His carrier, Garuḍa, with great speed, according to His desire. Thus He appeared before Gajendra.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Seek Mercy Without Taking Offense

  1. 1

    Hari, the Supreme Personality of Godhead who lives everywhere, understood Gajendra’s distress and heard his prayers. He came swiftly on Garuḍa, carrying His disc and other weapons.

  2. 2

    The purport explains that the demigods hesitated because Gajendra’s prayer was directed toward the Lord. Their feeling offended was itself an offense.

  3. 3

    When the Lord went to Gajendra, the demigods accompanied Him and offered prayers. They did so that their offense might be excused.

Key points from the purport
  • Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura specifically hints that since Gajendra was in such a difficult position and was praying for the mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the demigods, who could have immediately gone to his rescue, hesitated to go there.
  • Since they considered Gajendra’s prayer to be directed toward the Lord, they felt offended, and this in itself was offensive.
  • Consequently, when the Lord went there, they also went and offered prayers to the Lord so that their offense might be excused.

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:

Rather, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Nārāyaṇa, seated on Garuḍa, personally appeared before him. Gajendra, by lifting his trunk, offered obeisances to the Lord, and the Lord immediately pulled him from the water along with the crocodile who had captured his leg.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 8.3
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tamunto him (Gajendra)
  2. tadvatin that way
  3. ārtamwho was very depressed (because of being attacked by the crocodile)
  4. upalabhyaunderstanding
  5. jagat-nivāsaḥthe Lord, who exists everywhere
  6. stotramthe prayer
  7. niśamyahearing
  8. divijaiḥthe denizens of the heavenly planets
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

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 8.3

    In this verse: “offense”, “offended”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 8.3

    In this verse: “understanding”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 8.3

    In this verse: “heard”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Do I ever feel offended when someone gives attention or honor to another rather than to me?

Practice

Reflect on one moment of feeling overlooked, and offer a prayer asking the Lord to excuse any offense in your response.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySeek Mercy Without Taking OffenseThis 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.

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