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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.
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Canto 8 · Chapter 4: Gajendra Returns to the Spiritual World
8.4.68.4.8

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.4.7

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 8.4.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit
A turning point forGajendra· A spiritual conclusion

स वै पूर्वमभूद् राजा पाण्ड्यो द्रविडसत्तम: ।

इन्द्रद्युम्न इति ख्यातो विष्णुव्रतपरायण: ॥ ७ ॥

sa vai pūrvam abhūd rājā

pāṇḍyo draviḍa-sattamaḥ

indradyumna iti khyāto

viṣṇu-vrata-parāyaṇaḥ

Translation

This Gajendra had formerly been a Vaiṣṇava and the king of the country known as Pāṇḍya, which is in the province of Draviḍa [South India]. In his previous life, he was known as Indradyumna Mahārāja.

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.

Gajendra Had Previously Been a Vaiṣṇava

  1. 1

    Before his life as Gajendra, he had been known as Indradyumna Mahārāja.

  2. 2

    He ruled the country of Pāṇḍya in the province of Draviḍa, South India.

  3. 3

    He had been a Vaiṣṇava, a devotee of the Lord. The translation identifies both his kingship and his devotional identity.

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:

His name was Indradyumna, and he was the King of the Tāmila country. Following the Vedic principles, this King retired from family life and constructed a small cottage in the Malayācala Hills, where he always worshiped the Supreme Personality of Godhead in silence.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 8.4
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. saḥthis elephant (Gajendra)
  2. vaiindeed
  3. pūrvamformerly
  4. abhūtwas
  5. rājāa king
  6. pāṇḍyaḥof the country known as Pāṇḍya
  7. draviḍa-sat-tamaḥthe best of those born in Draviḍa-deśa, South India
  8. indradyumnaḥby the name Mahārāja Indradyumna
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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 8.4

    In this verse: “king”, “kingship”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotional”, “devotee”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How much importance do I give to being a devotee alongside my other roles?

Practice

Set aside a brief moment for worship today alongside your usual responsibilities.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayGajendra Had Previously Been a VaiṣṇavaThis 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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