1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 8 · Withdrawal of the Cosmic Creations · 24 chapters

123456789101112131415161718192021222324

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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 9: The Lord Incarnates as Mohinī-Mūrti
8.9.188.9.20

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.9.19

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 8.9.11inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

असुराणां सुधादानं सर्पाणामिव दुर्नयम् ।

मत्वा जातिनृशंसानां न तां व्यभजदच्युत: ॥ १९ ॥

asurāṇāṁ sudhā-dānaṁ

sarpāṇām iva durnayam

matvā jāti-nṛśaṁsānāṁ

na tāṁ vyabhajad acyutaḥ

Translation

Demons are by nature crooked like snakes. Therefore, to distribute a share of the nectar to them was not at all feasible, since this would be as dangerous as supplying milk to a snake. Considering this, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who never falls down, did not deliver a share of nectar to the demons.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Lord Withholds Nectar from the Envious

  1. 1

    Giving nectar to the demons would be as dangerous as supplying milk to a snake because they were crooked by nature.

  2. 2

    The purport explains that a snake can be controlled by mantras, herbs and drugs, but an envious and crooked person cannot be controlled by such means.

  3. 3

    The Supreme Personality of Godhead, who never falls down, therefore considered it unwise to give the demons nectar.

Key points from the purport
  • It is said, sarpaḥ krūraḥ khalaḥ krūraḥ sarpāt krūrataraḥ khalaḥ: “The snake is very crooked and envious, and so also is a person like a demon.”
  • Mantrauṣadhi-vaśaḥ sarpaḥ khalaḥ kena nivāryate: “One can bring a snake under control with mantras, herbs and drugs, but an envious and crooked person cannot be brought under control by any means.”
  • Considering this logic, the Supreme Personality of Godhead thought it unwise to distribute nectar to the demons.

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 9: The Lord Incarnates as Mohinī-Mūrti

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

When the demons made this promise, the beautiful woman, Mohinī-mūrti, had the demigods and demons sit in different lines so that She could distribute the nectar. She knew that the demons were quite unfit to drink the nectar.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 8.9
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. asurāṇāmof the demons
  2. sudhā-dānamgiving of the nectar
  3. sarpāṇāmof snakes
  4. ivalike
  5. durnayammiscalculation
  6. matvāthinking like that
  7. jāti-nṛśaṁsānāmof those who are by nature very envious
  8. nanot
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

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 8.9

    In this verse: “dangerous”

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

Do I consider whether giving someone more power could enable harm?

Practice

Before offering help in one situation today, consider whether it will support good conduct or enable harm.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord Withholds Nectar from the EnviousThis 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 8.9.19? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories