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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

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
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

8.6.34 8.6.36

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.6.35

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 8.6.26inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

निपतन्स गिरिस्तत्र बहूनमरदानवान् ।

चूर्णयामास महता भारेण कनकाचल: ॥ ३५ ॥

nipatan sa giris tatra

bahūn amara-dānavān

cūrṇayām āsa mahatā

bhāreṇa kanakācalaḥ

Translation

The mountain known as Mandara, which was extremely heavy, being made of gold, fell and smashed many demigods and demons.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

A Burden Beyond Their Strength

1
Mandara Mountain was made of gold and was extremely heavy.
2
The purport explains that gold is heavier than stone. Because of this weight, the demigods and demons could not properly carry the mountain to the Ocean of Milk.
3
The falling mountain smashed many demigods and demons. Its great weight had consequences their strength could not prevent.

Key points from the purport

Since Mandara Mountain was made of gold and was therefore heavier than stone, the demigods and demons could not properly carry it to the Ocean of Milk.

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

Chapter 6: The Demigods and Demons Declare a Truce

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Then both the demons and the demigods started for the ocean, taking Mandara Mountain with them. Because of the great heaviness of the mountain, the demigods and demons became fatigued, and some of them actually died.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in chapter 8.6