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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
8.7.318.7.33

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.7.32

Nirodha· Winding up
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The prajāpatissince 8.7.21inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

कामाध्वरत्रिपुरकालगराद्यनेक-

भूतद्रुह: क्षपयत: स्तुतये न तत् ते ।

यस्त्वन्तकाल इदमात्मकृतं स्वनेत्र-

वह्निस्फुलिङ्गशिखया भसितं न वेद ॥ ३२ ॥

kāmādhvara-tripura-kālagarādy-aneka-

bhūta-druhaḥ kṣapayataḥ stutaye na tat te

yas tv anta-kāla idam ātma-kṛtaṁ sva-netra-

vahni-sphuliṅga-śikhayā bhasitaṁ na veda

Translation

When annihilation is performed by the flames and sparks emanating from your eyes, the entire creation is burned to ashes. Nonetheless, you do not know how this happens. What then is to be said of your destroying the Dakṣa-yajña, Tripurāsura and the kālakūṭa poison? Such activities cannot be subject matters for prayers offered to you.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Great Power, Held Without Self-Importance

  1. 1

    At annihilation, flames and sparks from Lord Śiva’s eyes burn the entire creation to ashes. Yet he considers his great acts very unimportant.

  2. 2

    Compared with such destruction, counteracting the strong poison produced by the churning was a small matter for him.

  3. 3

    Through their praise, the demigods indirectly prayed that Lord Śiva counteract the kālakūṭa poison spreading throughout the universe.

Key points from the purport
  • Since Lord Śiva considers the great acts he performs to be very unimportant, what was to be said of counteracting the strong poison produced by the churning?
  • The demigods indirectly prayed that Lord Śiva counteract the kālakūṭa poison, which was spreading throughout the universe.

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. kāma-adhvarasacrifices for sense gratification (like Dakṣa-yajña, the sacrifices performed by Dakṣa)
  2. tripurathe demon named Tripurāsura
  3. kālagaraKālagara
  4. ādiand others
  5. anekamany
  6. bhūta-druhaḥwho are meant for giving trouble to the living entities
  7. kṣapayataḥbeing engaged in their destruction
  8. stutayeyour prayer
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Nirodha · Returning home, back to Godhead

    What happens when everything here comes to an end? · Subject 8 of 10

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Can I use my abilities to help without making much of my own achievements?

Practice

Do one helpful task today without seeking praise for it.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayGreat Power, Held Without Self-ImportanceThis 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 8.7.32? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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