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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
8.8.88.8.10

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.8.9

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 8.8.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

तस्यां चक्रु: स्पृहां सर्वे ससुरासुरमानवा: ।

रूपौदार्यवयोवर्णमहिमाक्षिप्तचेतस: ॥ ९ ॥

tasyāṁ cakruḥ spṛhāṁ sarve

sasurāsura-mānavāḥ

rūpaudārya-vayo-varṇa-

mahimākṣipta-cetasaḥ

Translation

Because of her exquisite beauty, her bodily features, her youth, her complexion and her glories, everyone, including the demigods, the demons and the human beings, desired her. They were attracted because she is the source of all opulences.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Seek Lakṣmī’s Favor Through Devotional Service

  1. 1

    The demigods, demons and human beings desired the goddess of fortune because of her beauty and opulence. People generally seek wealth, beauty and the respect these bring.

  2. 2

    Mother Lakṣmī never remains alone; she belongs to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Those seeking her favor must keep her with Nārāyaṇa.

  3. 3

    Devotees engaged in Nārāyaṇa’s service can receive her favor, while those seeking her only for personal enjoyment are frustrated. One should pray both to her and to the Supreme Lord.

Key points from the purport
  • If one wants the favor of the goddess of fortune, mother Lakṣmī, because she is by nature bhagavat-parā one must keep her with Nārāyaṇa.
  • The goddess of fortune is desirable for everyone, including human beings, but one should understand that the goddess of fortune is the exclusive property of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
  • One cannot achieve the mercy of the goddess of fortune unless one prays both to her and to the supreme enjoyer, the Personality of Godhead.

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:

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. tasyāmunto her
  2. cakruḥdid
  3. spṛhāmdesire
  4. sarveeveryone
  5. sa-sura-asura-mānavāḥthe demigods, the demons and the human beings
  6. rūpa-audāryaby the exquisite beauty and bodily features
  7. vayaḥyouth
  8. varṇacomplexion
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 8.8

    In this verse: “favor”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 8.8

    In this verse: “wealth”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 8.8

    In this verse: “devotees”

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

Are you seeking prosperity mainly for personal enjoyment or as an opportunity for devotional service?

Practice

Offer a short prayer to mother Lakṣmī and Nārāyaṇa, asking to use what you have in Their service.

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 todaySeek Lakṣmī’s Favor Through Devotional ServiceThis 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 8.8.9? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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