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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
8.7.398.7.41

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.7.40

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Śivasince 8.7.37inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

पुंस: कृपयतो भद्रे सर्वात्मा प्रीयते हरि: ।

प्रीते हरौ भगवति प्रीयेऽहं सचराचर: ।

तस्मादिदं गरं भुञ्जे प्रजानां स्वस्तिरस्तु मे ॥ ४० ॥

puṁsaḥ kṛpayato bhadre

sarvātmā prīyate hariḥ

prīte harau bhagavati

prīye ’haṁ sacarācaraḥ

tasmād idaṁ garaṁ bhuñje

prajānāṁ svastir astu me

Translation

My dear gentle wife Bhavānī, when one performs benevolent activities for others, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Hari, is very pleased. And when the Lord is pleased, I am also pleased, along with all other living creatures. Therefore, let me drink this poison, for all the living entities may thus become happy because of me.

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.

Benevolence Pleases the Supreme Lord

  1. 1

    Benevolent activities for others please Hari, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Lord Śiva places the Lord’s pleasure at the center of his decision.

  2. 2

    When Hari is pleased, Lord Śiva and all other living creatures are also pleased.

  3. 3

    Lord Śiva therefore resolves to drink the poison so that the living entities may become happy. His concern for their welfare is joined with his desire to please Hari.

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 goddess Durgā, Bhavānī, the wife of Lord Śiva, was not at all disturbed when Lord Śiva agreed to drink the poison, for she knew Lord Śiva’s prowess. Indeed, she expressed her pleasure at this agreement.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 8.7
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. puṁsaḥwith a person
  2. kṛpayataḥengaged in benevolent activities
  3. bhadreO most gentle Bhavānī
  4. sarva-ātmāthe Supersoul
  5. prīyatebecomes pleased
  6. hariḥthe Supreme Personality of Godhead
  7. prītebecause of His pleasure
  8. harauthe Supreme Lord, Hari
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

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

    In this verse: “welfare”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can my care for others become an offering for Hari’s pleasure?

Practice

Perform one small act of kindness today, consciously offering it for Hari’s pleasure.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayBenevolence Pleases the Supreme LordThis 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 8.7.40? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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