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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 4: Gajendra Returns to the Spiritual World
8.4.138.4.15

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.4.14

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 8.4.11-12inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

एतन्महाराज तवेरितो मया

कृष्णानुभावो गजराजमोक्षणम् ।

स्वर्ग्यं यशस्यं कलिकल्मषापहं

दु:स्वप्ननाशं कुरुवर्य श‍ृण्वताम् ॥ १४ ॥

etan mahā-rāja taverito mayā

kṛṣṇānubhāvo gaja-rāja-mokṣaṇam

svargyaṁ yaśasyaṁ kali-kalmaṣāpahaṁ

duḥsvapna-nāśaṁ kuru-varya śṛṇvatām

Translation

My dear King Parīkṣit, I have now described the wonderful power of Kṛṣṇa, as displayed when the Lord delivered the King of the elephants. O best of the Kuru dynasty, those who hear this narration become fit to be promoted to the higher planetary systems. Simply because of hearing this narration, they gain a reputation as devotees, they are unaffected by the contamination of Kali-yuga, and they never see bad dreams.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Hear About Kṛṣṇa’s Wonderful Deliverance

  1. 1

    The deliverance of the King of the elephants displays Kṛṣṇa’s wonderful power.

  2. 2

    Those who hear this narration become fit for promotion to the higher planetary systems and gain a reputation as devotees.

  3. 3

    The translation also promises that hearers remain unaffected by the contamination of Kali-yuga and never see bad dreams.

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 4: Gajendra Returns to the Spiritual World

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Śukadeva Gosvāmī says that by hearing the narration of Gajendra’s deliverance, one can also get the opportunity to be delivered. Śukadeva Gosvāmī vividly describes this, and thus the chapter ends.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 8.4
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. etatthis
  2. mahā-rājaO King Parīkṣit
  3. tavaunto you
  4. īritaḥdescribed
  5. mayāby me
  6. kṛṣṇa-anubhāvaḥthe unlimited potency of Lord Kṛṣṇa (by which He can deliver a devotee)
  7. gaja-rāja-mokṣaṇamdelivering the King of the elephants
  8. svargyamgiving elevation to higher planetary systems
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Īśānukathā · The science of God

    Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 of 10

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 8.4

    In this verse: “hearing”, “narration”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 8.4

    In this verse: “devotees”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 8.4

    In this verse: “king”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What draws me to hear about Kṛṣṇa’s power to deliver His devotee?

Practice

Spend a few quiet minutes today reading aloud the account of the Lord delivering Gajendra.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHear About Kṛṣṇa’s Wonderful DeliveranceThis 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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