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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
8.5.148.5.17-18

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Texts 8.5.15-16

Ūti· What drives us to act

श्रीशुक उवाच

यदा युद्धेऽसुरैर्देवा बध्यमाना: शितायुधै: ।

गतासवो निपतिता नोत्तिष्ठेरन्स्म भूरिश: ॥ १५ ॥

यदा दुर्वास: शापेन सेन्द्रा लोकास्त्रयो नृप ।

नि:श्रीकाश्चाभवंस्तत्र नेशुरिज्यादय: क्रिया: ॥ १६ ॥

śrī-śuka uvāca

yadā yuddhe ’surair devā

badhyamānāḥ śitāyudhaiḥ

gatāsavo nipatitā

nottiṣṭheran sma bhūriśaḥ

yadā durvāsaḥ śāpena

sendrā lokās trayo nṛpa

niḥśrīkāś cābhavaṁs tatra

neśur ijyādayaḥ kriyāḥ

Translation

Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: When the asuras, with their serpent weapons, severely attacked the demigods in a fight, many of the demigods fell and lost their lives. Indeed, they could not be revived. At that time, O King, the demigods had been cursed by Durvāsā Muni, the three worlds were poverty-stricken, and therefore ritualistic ceremonies could not be performed. The effects of this were very serious.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Do Not Let Wealth Blind You

  1. 1

    Attacked by the asuras and afflicted by Durvāsā Muni’s curse, the demigods lost their material opulences. Poverty in the three worlds prevented ritualistic ceremonies.

  2. 2

    Indra was too puffed up to receive Durvāsā Muni’s garland respectfully. His insulting behavior brought the curse upon him.

  3. 3

    Too much wealth can make one blind and lead to offenses against devotees and great saints. A materially opulent person should remain sober and well-behaved toward Vaiṣṇavas and saintly persons.

Study points are short summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport on Vedabase.