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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 7: Lord Śiva Saves the Universe by Drinking Poison
8.7.118.7.13

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.7.12

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 8.7.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

उपर्यगेन्द्रं गिरिराडिवान्य

आक्रम्य हस्तेन सहस्रबाहु: ।

तस्थौ दिवि ब्रह्मभवेन्द्रमुख्यै-

रभिष्टुवद्भ‍ि: सुमनोऽभिवृष्ट: ॥ १२ ॥

upary agendraṁ giri-rāḍ ivānya

ākramya hastena sahasra-bāhuḥ

tasthau divi brahma-bhavendra-mukhyair

abhiṣṭuvadbhiḥ sumano-’bhivṛṣṭaḥ

Translation

Manifesting Himself with thousands of hands, the Lord then appeared on the summit of Mandara Mountain, like another great mountain, and held Mandara Mountain with one hand. In the upper planetary systems, Lord Brahmā and Lord Śiva, along with Indra, King of heaven, and other demigods, offered prayers to the Lord and showered flowers upon Him.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Lord Holds the Mountain Steady

  1. 1

    The Lord appeared on the summit of Mandara Mountain like another great mountain. He balanced it while it was being pulled from both sides.

  2. 2

    Although He manifested thousands of hands, He held Mandara Mountain with one hand.

  3. 3

    Lord Brahmā, Lord Śiva and King Indra expanded themselves and showered flowers on the Lord. Along with the other demigods, they offered Him prayers.

Key points from the purport
  • To balance Mandara Mountain while it was being pulled from both sides, the Lord Himself appeared on its summit like another great mountain.
  • Lord Brahmā, Lord Śiva and King Indra then expanded themselves and showered flowers on 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 7: Lord Śiva Saves the Universe by Drinking Poison

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

The prajāpatis, seeing no one else to save them, approached Lord Śiva and offered him prayers full of truth. Lord Śiva is called Āśutoṣa because he is very pleased if one is a devotee.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 8.7
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. uparion the top of
  2. agendramthe big mountain
  3. giri-rāṭthe king of mountains
  4. ivalike
  5. anyaḥanother
  6. ākramyacatching
  7. hastenaby one hand
  8. sahasra-bāhuḥexhibiting thousands of hands
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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 8.7

    In this verse: “king”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What can you learn from the demigods’ response to the Lord’s power?

Practice

Offer a brief prayer appreciating the Lord’s strength and support.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord Holds the Mountain SteadyThis 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 8.7.12? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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