1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 8 · Withdrawal of the Cosmic Creations · 24 chapters

123456789101112131415161718192021222324

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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 6: The Demigods and Demons Declare a Truce
8.6.278.6.29

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.6.28

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 8.6.26inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

द‍ृष्ट्वारीनप्यसंयत्ताञ्जातक्षोभान्स्वनायकान् ।

न्यषेधद् दैत्यराट् श्लोक्य: सन्धिविग्रहकालवित् ॥ २८ ॥

dṛṣṭvārīn apy asaṁyattāñ

jāta-kṣobhān sva-nāyakān

nyaṣedhad daitya-rāṭ ślokyaḥ

sandhi-vigraha-kālavit

Translation

Mahārāja Bali, a most celebrated king of the demons, knew very well when to make peace and when to fight. Thus although his commanders and captains were agitated and were about to kill the demigods, Mahārāja Bali, seeing that the demigods were coming to him without a militant attitude, forbade his commanders to kill them.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Receive Even Enemies Without Hostility

  1. 1

    Vedic etiquette teaches that visiting enemies should be received so well that they forget the animosity between the two parties.

  2. 2

    Bali Mahārāja knew when to make peace and when to fight. Seeing the demigods approach without a militant attitude, he stopped his agitated commanders from killing them.

  3. 3

    Even during their fighting, the Pāṇḍavas and Kurus visited one another’s camps as friends when the day was over. During these meetings, they would offer what the other party wanted.

Key points from the purport
  • Bali Mahārāja was well conversant with the arts of peacemaking and fighting.
  • Thus he received the demigods very well, although his commanders and captains were agitated.
  • During the day, the Pāṇḍavas and Kurus would fight with the utmost strength, and when the day was over they would go to each other’s camps as friends and be received as such.

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 6: The Demigods and Demons Declare a Truce

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Following the instructions of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the demigods established a peace with Mahārāja Bali, the King of the demons. Then both the demons and the demigods started for the ocean, taking Mandara Mountain with them.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 8.6
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. dṛṣṭvāobserving
  2. arīnthe enemies
  3. apialthough
  4. asaṁyattānwithout any endeavor to fight
  5. jāta-kṣobhānwho became agitated
  6. sva-nāyakānhis own captains and commanders
  7. nyaṣedhatprevented
  8. daitya-rāṭthe Emperor of the Daityas, Mahārāja Bali
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 8.6

    In this verse: “king”

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 8.6

    In this verse: “friends”

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 I receive someone with whom I disagree without making them feel threatened?

Practice

Greet someone with whom you have tension calmly and courteously today.

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 8.6's connections

Live this todayReceive Even Enemies Without HostilityThis 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 8.6.28? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories