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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
8.5.17-188.5.21

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Texts 8.5.19-20

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 8.5.15-16inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

स विलोक्येन्द्रवाय्वादीन् नि:सत्त्वान्विगतप्रभान् ।

लोकानमङ्गलप्रायानसुरानयथा विभु: ॥ १९ ॥

समाहितेन मनसा संस्मरन्पुरुषं परम् ।

उवाचोत्फुल्ल‍वदनो देवान्स भगवान्पर: ॥ २० ॥

sa vilokyendra-vāyv-ādīn

niḥsattvān vigata-prabhān

lokān amaṅgala-prāyān

asurān ayathā vibhuḥ

samāhitena manasā

saṁsmaran puruṣaṁ param

uvācotphulla-vadano

devān sa bhagavān paraḥ

Translation

Upon seeing that the demigods were bereft of all influence and strength and that the three worlds were consequently devoid of auspiciousness, and upon seeing that the demigods were in an awkward position whereas all the demons were flourishing, Lord Brahmā, who is above all the demigods and who is most powerful, concentrated his mind on the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Thus being encouraged, he became bright-faced and spoke to the demigods as follows.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Remember the Lord, Care for Everyone

  1. 1

    Lord Brahmā was concerned to see the demigods without strength and the demons flourishing. The three worlds were consequently devoid of auspiciousness.

  2. 2

    Demons are interested in their own sense gratification, whereas demigods or devotees are concerned with the welfare of all living beings. This concern for others is the nature of a saintly person.

  3. 3

    Although most powerful among the demigods, Lord Brahmā concentrated his mind on the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Encouraged, he became bright-faced and spoke.

Key points from the purport
  • After hearing from the demigods the real situation, Lord Brahmā was very much concerned because the demons were unnecessarily so powerful.
  • When demons become powerful, the entire world is placed in an awkward position because demons are simply interested in their own sense gratification and not in the welfare of the world.
  • Demigods or devotees, however, are concerned with the welfare of all living beings.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

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:

The ṛṣi known as Śubhra, by his wife, Vikuṇṭhā, gave birth to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vaikuṇṭha. This Supreme Personality of Godhead manifested a Vaikuṇṭha planet at the request of Ramādevī.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 8.5
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. saḥLord Brahmā
  2. vilokyalooking over
  3. indra-vāyu-ādīnall the demigods, headed by Lord Indra and Vāyu
  4. niḥsattvānbereft of all spiritual potency
  5. vigata-prabhānbereft of all effulgence
  6. lokānall the three worlds
  7. amaṅgala-prāyānmerged into misfortune
  8. asurānall the demons
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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

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 8.5

    In this verse: “sense gratification”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 8.5

    In this verse: “devotees”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 8.5

    In this verse: “welfare”

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

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Does your response to difficulty consider others’ welfare as well as your own?

Practice

Before responding to one difficulty today, pause to remember the Supreme Lord and consider how your response could benefit others.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRemember the Lord, Care for EveryoneThis 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 8.5.19-20? Get an answer from the verses themselves.