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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 5: The Demigods Appeal to the Lord for Protection
8.5.98.5.11-12

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.5.10

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 8.5.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

पयोधिं येन निर्मथ्य सुराणां साधिता सुधा ।

भ्रममाणोऽम्भसि धृत: कूर्मरूपेण मन्दर: ॥ १० ॥

payodhiṁ yena nirmathya

surāṇāṁ sādhitā sudhā

bhramamāṇo ’mbhasi dhṛtaḥ

kūrma-rūpeṇa mandaraḥ

Translation

By churning the Ocean of Milk, Ajita produced nectar for the demigods. In the form of a tortoise, He moved here and there, carrying on His back the great mountain known as Mandara.

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.

Ajita Supports the Churning

  1. 1

    Ajita churned the Ocean of Milk.

  2. 2

    Through this churning, He produced nectar for the demigods.

  3. 3

    In the form of a tortoise, He moved here and there while carrying the great mountain Mandara on His back.

How it feels

Danger and ambition → Divine rescue and surprise. Cooperation, rivalry and revelation alternate rapidly.

Chapters 5–12 of Canto 8: Churning the ocean, poison and nectar. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 5: The Demigods Appeal to the Lord for Protection

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

This Ajita, taking the shape of a tortoise and holding the mountain known as Mandara on His back, churned the ocean and produced nectar for the demigods. Mahārāja Parīkṣit was very eager to hear about the churning of the ocean, and therefore Śukadeva Gosvāmī began to explain to him how the demigods, having been cursed by Durvāsā Muni, were defeated in battle by the asuras.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 8.5
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. payodhimthe Ocean of Milk
  2. yenaby whom
  3. nirmathyaby churning
  4. surāṇāmof the demigods
  5. sādhitāproduced
  6. sudhānectar
  7. bhramamāṇaḥmoving here and there
  8. ambhasiwithin the water
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

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What stands out to you about Ajita’s carrying Mandara while producing nectar for the demigods?

Practice

Read the translation slowly and remember Ajita carrying Mandara on His back in the form of a tortoise.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayAjita Supports the ChurningThis 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 8.5.10? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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