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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 8: The Churning of the Milk Ocean
8.8.28.8.4

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.8.3

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 8.8.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

तत उच्चै:श्रवा नाम हयोऽभूच्चन्द्रपाण्डुर: ।

तस्मिन्बलि: स्पृहां चक्रे नेन्द्र ईश्वरशिक्षया ॥ ३ ॥

tata uccaiḥśravā nāma

hayo ’bhūc candra-pāṇḍuraḥ

tasmin baliḥ spṛhāṁ cakre

nendra īśvara-śikṣayā

Translation

Thereafter, a horse named Uccaiḥśravā, which was as white as the moon, was generated. Bali Mahārāja desired to possess this horse, and Indra, the King of heaven, did not protest, for he had previously been so advised by the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

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.

Follow the Supreme Lord’s Advice

  1. 1

    A horse named Uccaiḥśravā appeared from the churning. It was as white as the moon.

  2. 2

    Bali Mahārāja desired to possess this horse.

  3. 3

    Indra did not protest because the Supreme Personality of Godhead had previously advised him. His response followed the Lord’s guidance.

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:

Thereafter, a horse named Uccaiḥśravā was generated. This horse was taken by Bali Mahārāja.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 8.8
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tataḥthereafter
  2. uccaiḥśravāḥ nāmaby the name Uccaiḥśravā
  3. hayaḥa horse
  4. abhūtwas generated
  5. candra-pāṇḍuraḥbeing as white as the moon
  6. tasminunto it
  7. baliḥMahārāja Bali
  8. spṛhām cakredesired to possess
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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 8.8

    In this verse: “king”

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

What can you learn from Indra’s willingness to follow the Lord’s advice rather than protest?

Practice

Before voicing one objection today, pause and recall Indra’s restraint in following the Lord’s advice.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 8.8's connections

Live this todayFollow the Supreme Lord’s AdviceThis 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 8.8.3? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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