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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
8.5.318.5.33

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.5.32

Āśraya· The supreme shelter
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Brahmāsince 8.5.26inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

पादौ महीयं स्वकृतैव यस्य

चतुर्विधो यत्र हि भूतसर्ग: ।

स वै महापूरुष आत्मतन्त्र:

प्रसीदतां ब्रह्म महाविभूति: ॥ ३२ ॥

pādau mahīyaṁ sva-kṛtaiva yasya

catur-vidho yatra hi bhūta-sargaḥ

sa vai mahā-pūruṣa ātma-tantraḥ

prasīdatāṁ brahma mahā-vibhūtiḥ

Translation

On this earth there are four kinds of living entities, who are all created by Him. The material creation rests on His lotus feet. He is the great Supreme Person, full of opulence and power. May He be pleased with us.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Everything Depends on the Independent Lord

  1. 1

    The five material elements and the total material energy rest on the Lord's lotus feet. The cosmic manifestation is another of His opulences.

  2. 2

    The purport describes four kinds of living entities: those born from embryos, eggs, perspiration, and seeds. Everything is generated from the Lord.

  3. 3

    We are dependent, whereas the Supreme Lord is completely independent. He activates material creation while remaining in His original, spiritual position.

Key points from the purport
  • The mahat-tattva, the total material energy, rests on His lotus feet, for the cosmic manifestation is but another opulence of the Lord.
  • Therefore the Supreme Lord is the greatest of all.
  • Even Lord Brahmā, who created the cosmic manifestation, is but another opulence of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

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:

His power and activities are mentioned in the Third Canto. The sixth Manu was Cākṣuṣa, the son of Cakṣu Manu.
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. pādauHis lotus feet
  2. mahīthe earth
  3. iyamthis
  4. sva-kṛtacreated by Himself
  5. evaindeed
  6. yasyaof whom
  7. catuḥ-vidhaḥof four kinds of living entities
  8. yatrawherein
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Āśraya · The summum bonum

    Who is the shelter of everything? · Subject 10 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

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

How does recognizing my dependence change the way I approach the Lord?

Practice

Notice one material element around you and offer a brief prayer to the Lord on whom it rests.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayEverything Depends on the Independent LordThis 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 8.5.32? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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