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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
8.4.28.4.5

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Texts 8.4.3-4

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 8.4.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

योऽसौ ग्राह: स वै सद्य: परमाश्चर्यरूपधृक् ।

मुक्तो देवलशापेन हूहूर्गन्धर्वसत्तम: ॥ ३ ॥

प्रणम्य शिरसाधीशमुत्तमश्लोकमव्ययम् ।

अगायत यशोधाम कीर्तन्यगुणसत्कथम् ॥ ४ ॥

yo ’sau grāhaḥ sa vai sadyaḥ

paramāścarya-rūpa-dhṛk

mukto devala-śāpena

hūhūr gandharva-sattamaḥ

praṇamya śirasādhīśam

uttama-ślokam avyayam

agāyata yaśo-dhāma

kīrtanya-guṇa-sat-katham

Translation

The best of the Gandharvas, King Hūhū, having been cursed by Devala Muni, had become a crocodile. Now, having been delivered by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he assumed a very beautiful form as a Gandharva. Understanding by whose mercy this had happened, he immediately offered his respectful obeisances with his head and began chanting prayers just suitable for the transcendental Lord, the supreme eternal, who is worshiped by the choicest verses.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Recognize Mercy and Respond With Gratitude

  1. 1

    King Hūhū had become a crocodile through Devala Muni’s curse. Delivered by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he regained a beautiful Gandharva form.

  2. 2

    The purport explains that the curse was actually a blessing. In only one life, he was fortunate enough to see the Supreme Lord face to face rather than wait millions of long years.

  3. 3

    Understanding whose mercy had delivered him, Hūhū immediately bowed his head and chanted prayers. He praised the supreme eternal Lord, who is worshiped by the choicest verses.

Key points from the purport
  • The story of how the Gandharva had become a crocodile will be described later.
  • However, because he was cursed by Devala Ṛṣi, he became a crocodile and in only one life was fortunate enough to see the Supreme Personality of Godhead face to face and be promoted to the spiritual world to become one of the Lord’s associates.
  • Similarly, Gajendra was also delivered by the Supreme Personality of Godhead when he was freed from the curse of Agastya Muni.

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 4: Gajendra Returns to the Spiritual World

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Once this King Hūhū was enjoying with women in the water, and while enjoying he pulled the leg of Devala Ṛṣi, who was also taking a bath in the water. Upon this, the sage became very angry and immediately cursed him to become a crocodile.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 8.4
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yaḥhe who
  2. asauthat
  3. grāhaḥbecame a crocodile
  4. saḥhe
  5. vaiindeed
  6. sadyaḥimmediately
  7. paramavery nice
  8. āścaryawonderful
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

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

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

    In this verse: “chanting”, “chanted”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 8.4

    In this verse: “mercy”, “blessing”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “worshiped”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

When I recognize the Lord’s mercy, do I take time to offer thanks?

Practice

Bow your head and offer one brief prayer thanking the Lord for His mercy.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRecognize Mercy and Respond With GratitudeThis 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 8.4.3-4? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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