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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

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
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

8.7.5 8.7.7

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.7.6

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

मथ्यमानेऽर्णवे सोऽद्रिरनाधारो ह्यपोऽविशत् ।

ध्रियमाणोऽपि बलिभिर्गौरवात् पाण्डुनन्दन ॥ ६ ॥

mathyamāne ’rṇave so ’drir

anādhāro hy apo ’viśat

dhriyamāṇo ’pi balibhir

gauravāt pāṇḍu-nandana

Translation

O son of the Pāṇḍu dynasty, when Mandara Mountain was thus being used as a churning rod in the Ocean of Milk, it had no support, and therefore although held by the strong hands of the demigods and demons, it sank into the water.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Strength Alone Cannot Provide Support

1
Mandara Mountain served as the churning rod in the Ocean of Milk.
2
The mountain had no support beneath it.
3
Although the strong hands of the demigods and demons held it, the mountain sank into the water.

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

Chapter 7: Lord Śiva Saves the Universe by Drinking Poison

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Because the churning rod, Mandara Mountain, was very heavy and was not held by any support in the water, it sank into the ocean, and in this way the prowess of both the demons and the demigods was vanquished. The Supreme Personality of Godhead then appeared in the form of a tortoise and supported Mandara Mountain on His back.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in chapter 8.7

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

mathyamānewhile the churning was going on
arṇavein the Ocean of Milk
saḥthat
adriḥhill
anādhāraḥwithout being supported by anything
hiindeed
apaḥin the water
aviśatdrowned

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

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Where might you need support rather than simply more effort?

Practice

Identify one task that is struggling, and name the support it needs.

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayStrength Alone Cannot Provide SupportThis 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 8.7.6? Get an answer from the verses themselves.

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