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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
8.7.378.7.39

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.7.38

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Śivasince 8.7.37inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

आसां प्राणपरीप्सूनां विधेयमभयं हि मे ।

एतावान्हि प्रभोरर्थो यद् दीनपरिपालनम् ॥ ३८ ॥

āsāṁ prāṇa-parīpsūnāṁ

vidheyam abhayaṁ hi me

etāvān hi prabhor artho

yad dīna-paripālanam

Translation

It is my duty to give protection and safety to all living entities struggling for existence. Certainly it is the duty of the master to protect his suffering dependents.

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.

Protection Is a Leader’s Duty

  1. 1

    Lord Śiva accepts protection of struggling living entities as his duty.

  2. 2

    Those struggling for existence need both protection and safety. He recognizes that something must be done for them.

  3. 3

    A master’s duty is to protect suffering dependents. Responsibility includes care for those who rely on us.

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:

Then Lord Śiva gathered the devastating poison, which was everywhere. He took it in his hand and drank it.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 8.7
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. āsāmall of these living entities
  2. prāṇa-parīpsūnāmvery strongly desiring to protect their lives
  3. vidheyamsomething must be done
  4. abhayamsafety
  5. hiindeed
  6. meby me
  7. etāvānthis much
  8. hiindeed
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 8.7

    In this verse: “protection”, “safety”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 8.7

    In this verse: “duty”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 8.7

    In this verse: “suffering”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Who relies on me, and what protection or reassurance do they need?

Practice

Do one concrete thing today to make someone in your care safer or better supported.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayProtection Is a Leader’s DutyThis 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 8.7.38? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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