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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
8.7.198.7.21

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.7.20

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

विलोक्य तं देववरं त्रिलोक्या

भवाय देव्याभिमतं मुनीनाम् ।

आसीनमद्रावपवर्गहेतो-

स्तपो जुषाणं स्तुतिभि: प्रणेमु: ॥ २० ॥

vilokya taṁ deva-varaṁ tri-lokyā

bhavāya devyābhimataṁ munīnām

āsīnam adrāv apavarga-hetos

tapo juṣāṇaṁ stutibhiḥ praṇemuḥ

Translation

The demigods observed Lord Śiva sitting on the summit of Kailāsa Hill with his wife, Bhavānī, for the auspicious development of the three worlds. He was being worshiped by great saintly persons desiring liberation. The demigods offered him their obeisances and prayers with great respect.

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 Demigods Respectfully Approach Lord Śiva

  1. 1

    The demigods saw Lord Śiva sitting with his wife, Bhavānī, on the summit of Kailāsa Hill.

  2. 2

    He was there for the auspicious development of the three worlds. Great saintly persons desiring liberation were worshiping him.

  3. 3

    The demigods offered Lord Śiva their obeisances and prayers with great respect.

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. vilokyaobserving
  2. tamhim
  3. deva-varamthe best of the demigods
  4. tri-lokyāḥof the three worlds
  5. bhavāyafor the flourishing
  6. devyāwith his wife, Bhavānī
  7. abhimatamaccepted by
  8. munīnāmgreat saintly persons
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 8.7

    In this verse: “worshiped”, “worshiping”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What can you learn from the respectful way the demigods approached Lord Śiva?

Practice

Read this verse slowly, giving particular attention to the respect expressed in the demigods’ obeisances and prayers.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Demigods Respectfully Approach Lord ŚivaThis 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 8.7.20? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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