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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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.9.28

Who is speaking and story frame

एवं सुरासुरगणा: समदेशकाल-

हेत्वर्थकर्ममतयोऽपि फले विकल्पा: ।

तत्रामृतं सुरगणा: फलमञ्जसापु-

र्यत्पादपङ्कजरज:श्रयणान्न दैत्या: ॥ २८ ॥

evaṁ surāsura-gaṇāḥ sama-deśa-kāla-

hetv-artha-karma-matayo ’pi phale vikalpāḥ

tatrāmṛtaṁ sura-gaṇāḥ phalam añjasāpur

yat-pāda-paṅkaja-rajaḥ-śrayaṇān na daityāḥ

Translation

The place, the time, the cause, the purpose, the activity and the ambition were all the same for both the demigods and the demons, but the demigods achieved one result and the demons another. Because the demigods are always under the shelter of the dust of the Lord’s lotus feet, they could very easily drink the nectar and get its result. The demons, however, not having sought shelter at the lotus feet of the Lord, were unable to achieve the result they desired.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Shelter and Service Make the Difference

  1. 1

    The demigods and demons shared the same circumstances, activities and ambition, yet achieved different results. The demigods received the nectar because they took shelter of the Lord’s lotus feet.

  2. 2

    Karmīs and devotees may outwardly work alike, but their purposes differ. Karmīs use the Lord’s property for selfish sense gratification, while devotees use it for His service.

  3. 3

    The Lord responds according to one’s surrender. Devotees who seek no personal benefit and desire only to spread His glories receive the auspicious results of bhakti-yoga and go back home, back to Godhead.

Key points from the purport
  • Therefore it can actually be seen that although karmīs and bhaktas may work in the same place, at the same time, with the same energy and with the same ambition, they achieve different results.
  • Therefore a devotee is always distinct from the karmīs, although the karmīs may dress like devotees.
  • Thus from the results achieved by the karmīs and devotees, one can understand the presence of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who acts differently for the karmīs and jñānīs than for the devotees.

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

Connected verses· 2

The purport of SB 8.9.28 quotesBG 4.11

In Bhagavad-gītā (4.11) it is said, ye yathā māṁ prapadyante tāṁs tathaiva bhajāmy aham: the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the supreme judge who rewards or punishes different persons according to their surrender unto His lotus feet.

The purport of SB 8.9.28 quotesBG 3.9

As confirmed in Bhagavad-gītā (3.9), yajñārthāt karmaṇo ’nyatra loko ’yaṁ karma-bandhanaḥ.

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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:

Rāhu, however, had already tasted the nectar, and therefore although his head was severed, he remained alive. After the demigods finished drinking the nectar, the Supreme Personality of Godhead assumed His own form.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 8.9
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. evamthus
  2. surathe demigods
  3. asura-gaṇāḥand the demons
  4. samaequal
  5. deśaplace
  6. kālatime
  7. hetucause
  8. arthaobjective
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Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Śaraṇāgati · Wholehearted surrender

    Relinquishing ownership while entrusting oneself to the Lord. · Theme in SB 8.9

    In this verse: “shelter”, “surrender”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 8.9

    In this verse: “devotees”, “bhakti-yoga”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 8.9

    In this verse: “sense gratification”

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

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Am I trying to use the Lord’s property for my own enjoyment or for His service?

Practice

Choose one resource you have today—time, energy or possessions—and use a small part of it for the Lord’s service without seeking personal benefit.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayShelter and Service Make the DifferenceThis 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 8.9.28? Get an answer from the verses themselves.