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

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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 7: Lord Śiva Saves the Universe by Drinking Poison

8.7.15 8.7.17

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.7.16

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

मथ्यमानात् तथा सिन्धोर्देवासुरवरूथपै: ।

यदा सुधा न जायेत निर्ममन्थाजित: स्वयम् ॥ १६ ॥

mathyamānāt tathā sindhor

devāsura-varūtha-paiḥ

yadā sudhā na jāyeta

nirmamanthājitaḥ svayam

Translation

When nectar did not come from the Ocean of Milk, despite so much endeavor by the best of the demigods and demons, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Ajita, personally began to churn the ocean.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Ajita Personally Takes Up the Work

1
The best of the demigods and demons made great efforts to churn the Ocean of Milk.
2
Despite all their endeavor, nectar did not appear.
3
Then Ajita, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, personally began to churn the ocean.

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 7: Lord Śiva Saves the Universe by Drinking Poison

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Then, with great endeavor, they began pulling the snake in both directions. Because the churning rod, Mandara Mountain, was very heavy and was not held by any support in the water, it sank into the ocean, and in this way the prowess of both the demons and the demigods was vanquished.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in chapter 8.7

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

mathyamānātsufficiently being churned
tathāin this way
sindhoḥfrom the Ocean of Milk
devaof the demigods
asuraand the demons
varūtha-paiḥby the best
yadāwhen
sudhānectar

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

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does this verse help you reflect on the limits of even great endeavor?

Practice

Read the verse slowly and note the contrast between the workers’ endeavor and Ajita’s personal action.

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayAjita Personally Takes Up the WorkThis 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 8.7.16? Get an answer from the verses themselves.

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