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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
8.5.58.5.7

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.5.6

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

तस्यानुभाव: कथितो गुणाश्च परमोदया: ।

भौमान्‍रेणून्स विममे यो विष्णोर्वर्णयेद् गुणान् ॥ ६ ॥

tasyānubhāvaḥ kathito

guṇāś ca paramodayāḥ

bhaumān reṇūn sa vimame

yo viṣṇor varṇayed guṇān

Translation

Although the great activities and transcendental qualities of the Supreme Personality of Godhead’s various incarnations are wonderfully described, sometimes we are unable to understand them. Yet everything is possible for Lord Viṣṇu. If one could count the atoms of the universe, then he could count the qualities of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. But no one can count the atoms of the universe, nor can anyone count the transcendental qualities of the Lord.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Everything Is Possible for Lord Viṣṇu

  1. 1

    The Lord’s glorious activities include Varāhadeva’s fight with Hiraṇyākṣa, who was formerly His personal bodyguard Jaya.

  2. 2

    Some authorities explain that there are two Varāhas; others say Varāha remained in the water from Svāyambhuva Manu’s reign until Raivata Manu’s. To doubts about this, the purport answers that everything is possible for the Lord.

  3. 3

    No one can count the atoms of the universe. Similarly, no one can count Lord Viṣṇu’s transcendental qualities.

Key points from the purport
  • The Lord’s glorious activities referred to in this connection took place after His personal bodyguards Jaya and Vijaya became Daityas, having been cursed by the great sages Sanaka, Sanātana, Sanat-kumāra and Sanandana.
  • Some may doubt that this could be possible, but the answer is that everything is possible.
  • But the atoms of the universe are impossible for anyone to count, and similarly no one can count the transcendental qualities of the Lord.

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 brother of Tāmasa, the fourth Manu, who has previously been described, was the fifth Manu, Raivata. The sons of Raivata included Arjuna, Bali and Vindhya.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 8.5
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tasyaof the Supreme Personality of Godhead appearing as Vaikuṇṭha
  2. anubhāvaḥgreat activities
  3. kathitaḥwere explained
  4. guṇāḥtranscendental qualities
  5. caalso
  6. parama-udayāḥgreatly glorious
  7. bhaumānearthly
  8. reṇūnparticles
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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 8.5

    In this verse: “understand”

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 can you remain humble when the Lord’s activities exceed your understanding?

Practice

Spend one quiet minute reflecting on the statement that no one can count the Lord’s transcendental qualities.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 8.5's connections

Live this todayEverything Is Possible for Lord ViṣṇuThis 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 8.5.6? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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