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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
8.7.38.7.5

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.7.4

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

इति तूष्णीं स्थितान्दैत्यान् विलोक्य पुरुषोत्तम: ।

स्मयमानो विसृज्याग्रं पुच्छं जग्राह सामर: ॥ ४ ॥

iti tūṣṇīṁ sthitān daityān

vilokya puruṣottamaḥ

smayamāno visṛjyāgraṁ

pucchaṁ jagrāha sāmaraḥ

Translation

Thus the demons remained silent, opposing the desire of the demigods. Seeing the demons and understanding their motive, the Personality of Godhead smiled. Without discussion, He immediately accepted their proposal by grasping the tail of the snake, and the demigods followed Him.

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 Lord Responds Without Argument

  1. 1

    The demons remained silent while opposing the desire of the demigods.

  2. 2

    The Personality of Godhead understood their motive and smiled.

  3. 3

    Without discussion, He accepted their proposal and grasped the tail of the snake. The demigods followed Him.

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:

By the expert arrangement of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the demons held the snake near the mouth, whereas the demigods held the tail of the great snake. Then, with great endeavor, they began pulling the snake in both directions.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 8.7
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. itithus
  2. tūṣṇīmsilently
  3. sthitānstaying
  4. daityānthe demons
  5. vilokyaseeing
  6. puruṣa-uttamaḥthe Personality of Godhead
  7. smayamānaḥsmiling
  8. visṛjyagiving up
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: “understanding”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What can you learn from the Lord's response without discussion?

Practice

In one small disagreement today, pause before arguing and consider whether a peaceful adjustment is possible.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord Responds Without ArgumentThis 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 8.7.4? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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