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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.
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Canto 8 · Chapter 7: Lord Śiva Saves the Universe by Drinking Poison
8.7.188.7.20

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.7.19

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

तदुग्रवेगं दिशि दिश्युपर्यधो

विसर्पदुत्सर्पदसह्यमप्रति ।

भीता: प्रजा दुद्रुवुरङ्ग सेश्वरा

अरक्ष्यमाणा: शरणं सदाशिवम् ॥ १९ ॥

tad ugra-vegaṁ diśi diśy upary adho

visarpad utsarpad asahyam aprati

bhītāḥ prajā dudruvur aṅga seśvarā

arakṣyamāṇāḥ śaraṇaṁ sadāśivam

Translation

O King, when that uncontrollable poison was forcefully spreading up and down in all directions, all the demigods, along with the Lord Himself, approached Lord Śiva [Sadāśiva]. Feeling unsheltered and very much afraid, they sought shelter of him.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Lord Viṣṇu Gives Lord Śiva Credit

  1. 1

    The uncontrollable poison spread forcefully upward, downward and in every direction. Feeling afraid and unsheltered, the demigods approached Lord Śiva along with the Lord Himself.

  2. 2

    Lord Viṣṇu was fully competent to rectify the situation. His not intervening did not mean that He lacked power.

  3. 3

    Lord Viṣṇu refrained from acting in order to give credit to Lord Śiva. Lord Śiva later drank the poison and kept it in his neck.

Key points from the purport
  • One may question that since the Supreme Personality of Godhead was personally present, why did He accompany all the demigods and people in general to take shelter of Lord Sadāśiva instead of intervening Himself.
  • Lord Viṣṇu was competent to rectify the situation, but in order to give credit to Lord Śiva, who later drank all the poison and kept it in his neck, Lord Viṣṇu did not take action.

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. tatthat
  2. ugra-vegamvery fierce and potent poison
  3. diśi diśiin all directions
  4. upariupward
  5. adhaḥdownward
  6. visarpatcurling
  7. utsarpatgoing upward
  8. asahyamunbearable
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

  • Śaraṇāgati · Wholehearted surrender

    Relinquishing ownership while entrusting oneself to the Lord. · Theme in SB 8.7

    In this verse: “shelter”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 8.7

    In this verse: “afraid”

  • 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

How does Lord Viṣṇu’s wish to give Lord Śiva credit deepen your appreciation of His actions?

Practice

Give someone sincere credit today for a helpful action they have taken.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayLord Viṣṇu Gives Lord Śiva CreditThis 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 8.7.19? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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