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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
8.7.148.7.16

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.7.15

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 8.7.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

देवांश्च तच्छ्‍वासशिखाहतप्रभान्

धूम्राम्बरस्रग्वरकञ्चुकाननान् ।

समभ्यवर्षन्भगवद्वशा घना

ववु: समुद्रोर्म्युपगूढवायव: ॥ १५ ॥

devāṁś ca tac-chvāsa-śikhā-hata-prabhān

dhūmrāmbara-srag-vara-kañcukānanān

samabhyavarṣan bhagavad-vaśā ghanā

vavuḥ samudrormy-upagūḍha-vāyavaḥ

Translation

Because the demigods were also affected by the blazing breath of Vāsuki, their bodily lusters diminished, and their garments, garlands, weapons and faces were blackened by smoke. However, by the grace of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, clouds appeared on the sea, pouring torrents of rain, and breezes blew, carrying particles of water from the sea waves, to give the demigods relief.

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.

The Lord Gives Relief by His Grace

  1. 1

    The demigods were also affected by Vāsuki’s blazing breath, and their bodily lusters diminished.

  2. 2

    Smoke blackened their garments, garlands, weapons and faces.

  3. 3

    By the grace of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, clouds poured torrents of rain. Breezes carrying water from the sea waves also gave the demigods relief.

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 Supreme Personality of Godhead then appeared in the form of a tortoise and supported Mandara Mountain on His back. Then the churning resumed with great force.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 8.7
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. devānall the demigods
  2. caalso
  3. tatof Vāsuki
  4. śvāsafrom the breathing
  5. śikhāby the flames
  6. hatabeing affected
  7. prabhāntheir bodily luster
  8. dhūmrasmoky
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 8.7

    In this verse: “grace”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 8.7

    In this verse: “lusters”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does the arrival of rain and cooling breezes reveal about the Lord’s grace?

Practice

Offer a short prayer of appreciation for the relief the Lord gave the suffering demigods.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord Gives Relief by His GraceThis 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 8.7.15? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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