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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
8.4.3-48.4.6

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.4.5

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

सोऽनुकम्पित ईशेन परिक्रम्य प्रणम्य तम् ।

लोकस्य पश्यतो लोकं स्वमगान्मुक्तकिल्बिष: ॥ ५ ॥

so ’nukampita īśena

parikramya praṇamya tam

lokasya paśyato lokaṁ

svam agān mukta-kilbiṣaḥ

Translation

Having been favored by the causeless mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and having regained his original form, King Hūhū circumambulated the Lord and offered his obeisances. Then, in the presence of all the demigods, headed by Brahmā, he returned to Gandharvaloka. He had been freed of all sinful reactions.

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.

Receive Mercy With Respectful Gratitude

  1. 1

    King Hūhū was favored by the causeless mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and regained his original form.

  2. 2

    He circumambulated the Lord and offered his obeisances.

  3. 3

    Freed of all sinful reactions, he returned to Gandharvaloka. The demigods, headed by Brahmā, witnessed his departure.

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:

King Hūhū was very sorry when cursed in that way, and he begged pardon from the sage, who in compassion gave him the benediction that he would be freed when Gajendra was delivered by the Personality of Godhead. Thus the crocodile was delivered when killed by Nārāyaṇa.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 8.4
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. saḥhe (King Hūhū)
  2. anukampitaḥbeing favored
  3. īśenaby the Supreme Lord
  4. parikramyacircumambulating
  5. praṇamyaoffering his obeisances
  6. tamunto Him
  7. lokasyaall the demigods and men
  8. paśyataḥwhile seeing
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

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 8.4

    In this verse: “mercy”, “causeless”, “favored”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 8.4

    In this verse: “king”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 8.4

    In this verse: “sinful”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can my actions express respect and gratitude for the Lord’s mercy?

Practice

Offer respectful obeisances to the Lord today, remembering Hūhū’s gratitude.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayReceive Mercy With Respectful 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.

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