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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 9: The Lord Incarnates as Mohinī-Mūrti
8.9.218.9.23

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.9.22

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 8.9.11inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

ते पालयन्त: समयमसुरा: स्वकृतं नृप ।

तूष्णीमासन्कृतस्‍नेहा: स्त्रीविवादजुगुप्सया ॥ २२ ॥

te pālayantaḥ samayam

asurāḥ sva-kṛtaṁ nṛpa

tūṣṇīm āsan kṛta-snehāḥ

strī-vivāda-jugupsayā

Translation

O King, since the demons had promised to accept whatever the woman did, whether just or unjust, now, to keep this promise, to show their equilibrium and to save themselves from fighting with a woman, they remained silent.

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.

The Demons Remain Silent

  1. 1

    The demons had promised to accept whatever the woman did, whether just or unjust.

  2. 2

    They remained silent to keep their promise and show their equilibrium.

  3. 3

    They also wished to avoid fighting with a woman.

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:

Taking advantage of their weakness in this regard, Mohinī, the incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, got the demons to promise that whatever decision She might give, they would not refuse to accept it. 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.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 8.9
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tethe demons
  2. pālayantaḥkeeping in order
  3. samayamequilibrium
  4. asurāḥthe demons
  5. sva-kṛtammade by them
  6. nṛpaO King
  7. tūṣṇīm āsanremained silent
  8. kṛta-snehāḥbecause of having developed attachment to Mohinī-mūrti
  9. strī-vivādadisagreeing with a woman
  10. jugupsayābecause of thinking such an action as abominable
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 8.9

    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

How do I respond when keeping a promise becomes uncomfortable?

Practice

Recall one promise you have made and take one small step toward fulfilling it today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Demons Remain SilentThis 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 8.9.22? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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