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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
8.3.48.3.6

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.3.5

Āśraya· The supreme shelter
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

कालेन पञ्चत्वमितेषु कृत्स्‍नशो

लोकेषु पालेषु च सर्वहेतुषु ।

तमस्तदासीद् गहनं गभीरं

यस्तस्य पारेऽभिविराजते विभु: ॥ ५ ॥

kālena pañcatvam iteṣu kṛtsnaśo

lokeṣu pāleṣu ca sarva-hetuṣu

tamas tadāsīd gahanaṁ gabhīraṁ

yas tasya pāre ’bhivirājate vibhuḥ

Translation

In due course of time, when all the causative and effective manifestations of the universe, including the planets and their directors and maintainers, are annihilated, there is a situation of dense darkness. Above this darkness, however, is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. I take shelter of His lotus feet.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Take Shelter Beyond the Darkness

  1. 1

    In due course of time, the planets, their maintainers, and all causes and effects within the universe disappear. The cosmic situation then becomes one of dense darkness.

  2. 2

    The Supreme Personality of Godhead is above everything, including Brahmā and Śiva. He remains the supreme controller even when the universe disappears.

  3. 3

    Like the sun that remains luminous while we experience night, the Supreme Lord always shines beyond cosmic darkness. Gajendra takes shelter of His lotus feet.

Key points from the purport
  • From the Vedic mantras we understand that the Supreme Personality of Godhead is above everything.
  • The Supreme Lord, however, is the sunshine, as confirmed in the Vedic mantras: āditya-varṇaṁ tamasaḥ parastāt.
  • Similarly, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the supreme sun, always remains luminous, even when the entire cosmic manifestation is annihilated in due course of time.

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:

It is thus that creation, maintenance and annihilation take place. The Lord exists at all times.
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. kālenain due course of time (after millions and millions of years)
  2. pañcatvamwhen everything illusory is annihilated
  3. iteṣuall transformations
  4. kṛtsnaśaḥwith everything within this cosmic manifestation
  5. lokeṣuall the planets, or everything that exists
  6. pāleṣumaintainers like Lord Brahmā
  7. caalso
  8. sarva-hetuṣuall causative existences
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Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Āśraya · The summum bonum

    Who is the shelter of everything? · Subject 10 of 10

  • Śaraṇāgati · Wholehearted surrender

    Relinquishing ownership while entrusting oneself to the Lord. · Theme in SB 8.3

    In this verse: “shelter”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does remembering the Lord’s enduring presence deepen my desire for His shelter?

Practice

Read the translation slowly, then express in your own words your wish to take shelter of the Lord’s lotus feet.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayTake Shelter Beyond the DarknessThis 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 8.3.5? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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