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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 8: The Churning of the Milk Ocean
8.8.228.8.24

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.8.23

Āśraya· The supreme shelter
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 8.8.23inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

एवं विमृश्याव्यभिचारिसद्गुणै-

र्वरं निजैकाश्रयतयागुणाश्रयम् ।

वव्रे वरं सर्वगुणैरपेक्षितं

रमा मुकुन्दं निरपेक्षमीप्सितम् ॥ २३ ॥

evaṁ vimṛśyāvyabhicāri-sad-guṇair

varaṁ nijaikāśrayatayāguṇāśrayam

vavre varaṁ sarva-guṇair apekṣitaṁ

ramā mukundaṁ nirapekṣam īpsitam

Translation

Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: In this way, after full deliberation, the goddess of fortune accepted Mukunda as her husband because although He is independent and not in want of her, He possesses all transcendental qualities and mystic powers and is therefore the most desirable.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Mukunda Is Independent and Most Desirable

  1. 1

    After full deliberation, the goddess of fortune accepted Mukunda as her husband. He possesses all transcendental qualities and mystic powers.

  2. 2

    The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Mukunda, is self-sufficient and fully independent. He does not need the support or association of Lakṣmīdevī.

  3. 3

    Although Mukunda was not in want of her, Lakṣmīdevī chose Him. His transcendental qualities make Him the most desirable.

Key points from the purport
  • The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Mukunda, is self-sufficient.
  • Since He is fully independent, He was not in want of the support or association of Lakṣmīdevī.
  • Nonetheless, Lakṣmīdevī, the goddess of fortune, accepted Him as her husband.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

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 8: The Churning of the Milk Ocean

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

The goddess of fortune could not find anyone to accept as her husband. At last she selected Lord Viṣṇu to be her master.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 8.8
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. evamin this way
  2. vimṛśyaafter full deliberation
  3. avyabhicāri-sat-guṇaiḥwith extraordinary transcendental qualities
  4. varamsuperior
  5. nija-eka-āśrayatayābecause of possessing all good qualities without depending on others
  6. aguṇa-āśrayamthe reservoir of all transcendental qualities
  7. vavreaccepted
  8. varamas a bridegroom
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Āśraya · The summum bonum

    Who is the shelter of everything? · Subject 10 of 10

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does Mukunda’s self-sufficiency deepen my appreciation of Him?

Practice

Spend one minute reflecting on Mukunda’s independence and transcendental qualities.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayMukunda Is Independent and Most DesirableThis 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.

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