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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
8.4.88.4.10

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.4.9

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 8.4.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

यद‍ृच्छया तत्र महायशा मुनि:

समागमच्छिष्यगणै: परिश्रित: ।

तं वीक्ष्य तूष्णीमकृतार्हणादिकं

रहस्युपासीनमृषिश्चुकोप ह ॥ ९ ॥

yadṛcchayā tatra mahā-yaśā muniḥ

samāgamac chiṣya-gaṇaiḥ pariśritaḥ

taṁ vīkṣya tūṣṇīm akṛtārhaṇādikaṁ

rahasy upāsīnam ṛṣiś cukopa ha

Translation

While Indradyumna Mahārāja was engaged in ecstatic meditation, worshiping the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the great sage Agastya Muni arrived there, surrounded by his disciples. When the Muni saw that Mahārāja Indradyumna, who was sitting in a secluded place, remained silent and did not follow the etiquette of offering him a reception, he was very angry.

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.

Respectful Reception Matters

  1. 1

    Indradyumna Mahārāja was sitting in a secluded place, absorbed in ecstatic meditation and worship of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

  2. 2

    Agastya Muni arrived there surrounded by his disciples.

  3. 3

    The King remained silent and did not offer the customary respectful reception. Seeing this, Agastya Muni became very angry.

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:

Agastya Ṛṣi, along with many disciples, once approached King Indradyumna’s āśrama, but because the King was meditating on the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he could not receive Agastya Ṛṣi properly. Thus the ṛṣi became very angry and cursed the King to become a dull elephant.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 8.4
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yadṛcchayāout of his own will (without being invited)
  2. tatrathere
  3. mahā-yaśāḥvery celebrated, well-known
  4. muniḥAgastya Muni
  5. samāgamatarrived
  6. śiṣya-gaṇaiḥby his disciples
  7. pariśritaḥsurrounded
  8. tamhim
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “worshiping”, “worship”

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 8.4

    In this verse: “ecstatic”

  • 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

How attentive am I to offering a respectful welcome when someone arrives?

Practice

Offer a warm, respectful greeting to someone you receive or meet today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRespectful Reception MattersThis 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 8.4.9? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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