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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
8.5.388.5.40

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.5.39

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

बलान्महेन्द्रस्त्रिदशा: प्रसादा-

न्मन्योर्गिरीशो धिषणाद् विरिञ्च: ।

खेम्यस्तुछन्दांस्यृषयो मेढ्रत: क:

प्रसीदतां न: स महाविभूति: ॥ ३९ ॥

balān mahendras tri-daśāḥ prasādān

manyor girīśo dhiṣaṇād viriñcaḥ

khebhyas tu chandāṁsy ṛṣayo meḍhrataḥ kaḥ

prasīdatāṁ naḥ sa mahā-vibhūtiḥ

Translation

Mahendra, the King of Heaven, was generated from the prowess of the Lord, the demigods were generated from the mercy of the Lord, Lord Śiva was generated from the anger of the Lord, and Lord Brahmā from His sober intelligence. The Vedic mantras were generated from the bodily holes of the Lord, and the great saints and prajāpatis were generated from His genitals. May that supremely powerful Lord be pleased with us.

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.

Great Powers Originate in the Supreme Lord

  1. 1

    Mahendra comes from the Lord's prowess, and the demigods come from His mercy.

  2. 2

    Lord Śiva comes from the Lord's anger, and Lord Brahmā comes from His sober intelligence.

  3. 3

    The Vedic mantras come from the Lord's bodily openings, while the great saints and prajāpatis come from His genitals. The prayer seeks the pleasure of that supremely powerful Lord.

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:

When the demigods were deprived of their heavenly kingdom, they went to the assembly house of Lord Brahmā and informed Lord Brahmā of what had happened. Then Brahmā, along with all the demigods, went to the shore of the Ocean of Milk and offered prayers to Kṣīrodakaśāyī Viṣṇu.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 8.5
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. balātby His strength
  2. mahā-indraḥKing Indra became possible
  3. tri-daśāḥas well as the demigods
  4. prasādātby satisfaction
  5. manyoḥby anger
  6. giri-īśaḥLord Śiva
  7. dhiṣaṇātfrom sober intelligence
  8. viriñcaḥLord Brahmā
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

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 8.5

    In this verse: “mercy”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 8.5

    In this verse: “king”

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 seeing these great personalities as dependent on the Lord shape my reverence for Him?

Practice

Recall one origin described in this verse, then offer a brief prayer that the Supreme Lord be pleased with you.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayGreat Powers Originate in the Supreme 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 8.5.39? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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