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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
8.7.338.7.35

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.7.34

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The prajāpatissince 8.7.21inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

तत् तस्य ते सदसतो: परत: परस्य

नाञ्ज: स्वरूपगमने प्रभवन्ति भूम्न: ।

ब्रह्मादय: किमुत संस्तवने वयं तु

तत्सर्गसर्गविषया अपि शक्तिमात्रम् ॥ ३४ ॥

tat tasya te sad-asatoḥ parataḥ parasya

nāñjaḥ svarūpa-gamane prabhavanti bhūmnaḥ

brahmādayaḥ kim uta saṁstavane vayaṁ tu

tat-sarga-sarga-viṣayā api śakti-mātram

Translation

Even personalities like Lord Brahmā and other demigods cannot understand your position, for you are beyond the moving and nonmoving creation. Since no one can understand you in truth, how can one offer you prayers? It is impossible. As far as we are concerned, we are creatures of Lord Brahmā’s creation. Under the circumstances, therefore, we cannot offer you adequate prayers, but as far as our ability allows, we have expressed our feelings.

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.

Offer Prayers With Humble Limits

  1. 1

    Lord Śiva’s position is beyond the moving and nonmoving creation. Even Lord Brahmā and the other demigods cannot understand him fully.

  2. 2

    The speakers recognize that they are creatures within Lord Brahmā’s creation. They do not claim the ability to offer adequate prayers.

  3. 3

    Despite their limitations, they express their feelings as far as their ability allows. Their prayers acknowledge what they cannot understand.

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. tattherefore
  2. tasyaof that
  3. teof Your Lordship
  4. sat-asatoḥof the living entities, moving and not moving
  5. parataḥtranscendentally situated
  6. parasyavery difficult to understand
  7. nanor
  8. añjaḥas it is
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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 8.7

    In this verse: “understand”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Can I express sincere reverence without pretending to understand everything?

Practice

Write one sentence expressing appreciation for Lord Śiva while honestly acknowledging your limited understanding.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayOffer Prayers With Humble LimitsThis 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 8.7.34? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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