Canto 8: Withdrawal of the Cosmic Creations

  1. The Manus, Administrators of the Universeplugin-autotooltip__small plugin-autotooltip_bigSB 8.1: The Manus, Administrators of the Universe

    The Manus, Administrators of the Universe

    This First Chapter of the Eighth Canto may be summarized as a description of four Manus, namely Svāyambhuva, Svārociṣa, Uttama and Tāmasa. After hearing descriptions of the dynasty of Svāyambhuva Manu until the end of the Seventh Canto, Mahārāja Parīkṣit desired to know about other Manus. He desired to understand how the Supreme Personality of Godhead descends
  2. The Elephant Gajendra's Crisisplugin-autotooltip__small plugin-autotooltip_bigSB 8.2: The Elephant Gajendra’s Crisis

    The Elephant Gajendra’s Crisis

    The Second, Third and Fourth Chapters of this canto describe how the Lord, during the reign of the fourth Manu, gave protection to the king of the elephants. As described in this Second Chapter, when the King of the elephants, along with his female elephants, was enjoying in the water, a crocodile suddenly attacked him, and the elephant surrendered to the lotus feet of the Personality of Godhead for protection.
  3. Gajendra's Prayers of Surrenderplugin-autotooltip__small plugin-autotooltip_bigSB 8.3: Gajendra’s Prayers of Surrender

    Gajendra’s Prayers of Surrender

    In this chapter, the prayers by Gajendra, the King of the elephants, are described. It appears that the King of the elephants was formerly a human being known as Indradyumna and that he learned a prayer to the Supreme Lord. Fortunately he remembered that prayer and began to chant it to himself. First he offered his respectful obeisances to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and because of his awkward position in having been attacked by the crocodile, he expresse…
  4. Gajendra Returns to the Spiritual Worldplugin-autotooltip__small plugin-autotooltip_bigSB 8.4: Gajendra Returns to the Spiritual World

    Gajendra Returns to the Spiritual World

    This Fourth Chapter describes the previous birth of Gajendra and the crocodile. It tells how the crocodile became a Gandharva and how Gajendra became an associate of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

    There was a king on the Gandharva planet whose name was Hūhū. Once this King Hūhū was enjoying with women in the water, and while enjoying he pulled the leg of Devala Ṛṣi, who was also taking a bath in the water. Upon this, the sage became very angry and i…
  5. The Demigods Appeal to the Lord for Protectionplugin-autotooltip__small plugin-autotooltip_bigSB 8.5: The Demigods Appeal to the Lord for Protection

    The Demigods Appeal to the Lord for Protection

    This chapter describes the fifth and sixth Manus, and it also describes the prayers of the demigods and the curse of Durvāsā Muni.

    The brother of Tāmasa, the fourth Manu, who has previously been described, was the fifth Manu, Raivata. The sons of Raivata included Arjuna, Bali and Vindhya. During the reign of this Manu, Indra, the King of heaven, was known as Vibhu. Among the demigods were the Bhūtarayas, and among the seven
  6. The Demigods and Demons Declare a Truceplugin-autotooltip__small plugin-autotooltip_bigSB 8.6: The Demigods and Demons Declare a Truce

    The Demigods and Demons Declare a Truce

    This chapter describes how the Lord appeared before the demigods when they offered Him their prayers. Following the advice of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the demigods executed a truce with the demons for the purpose of churning nectar from the sea.
  7. Lord Śiva Saves the Universe by Drinking Poisonplugin-autotooltip__small plugin-autotooltip_bigSB 8.7: Lord Śiva Saves the Universe by Drinking Poison

    Lord Śiva Saves the Universe by Drinking Poison

    The summary of the Seventh Chapter is as follows. As described in this chapter, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, appearing in His incarnation as a tortoise, dove deep into the ocean to carry Mandara Mountain on His back. At first the churning of the ocean produced
  8. The Churning of the Milk Oceanplugin-autotooltip__small plugin-autotooltip_bigSB 8.8: The Churning of the Milk Ocean

    The Churning of the Milk Ocean

    This chapter describes how the goddess of fortune appeared during the churning of the ocean of milk and how she accepted Lord Viṣṇu as her husband. As described later in the chapter, when Dhanvantari appeared with a pot of nectar the demons immediately snatched it from him, but Lord Viṣṇu appeared as the incarnation Mohinī, the most beautiful woman in the world, just to captivate the demons and save the nectar for the demigods.
  9. The Lord Incarnates as Mohinī-Mūrtiplugin-autotooltip__small plugin-autotooltip_bigSB 8.9: The Lord Incarnates as Mohinī-Mūrti

    The Lord Incarnates as Mohinī-Mūrti

    This chapter describes how the demons, being enchanted by the beauty of the Mohinī form, agreed to hand over the container of nectar to Mohinīdevī, who tactfully delivered it to the demigods.

    When the demons got possession of the container of nectar, an extraordinarily beautiful young woman appeared before them. All the demons became captivated by the young woman
  10. The Battle Between the Demigods and the Demonsplugin-autotooltip__small plugin-autotooltip_bigSB 8.10: The Battle Between the Demigods and the Demons

    The Battle Between the Demigods and the Demons

    The summary of Chapter Ten is as follows. Because of envy, the fight between the demons and the demigods continued. When the demigods were almost defeated by demoniac maneuvers and became morose, Lord Viṣṇu appeared among them.
  11. King Indra Annihilates the Demonsplugin-autotooltip__small plugin-autotooltip_bigSB 8.11: King Indra Annihilates the Demons

    King Indra Annihilates the Demons

    As described in this chapter, the great saint Nārada Muni, being very compassionate to the demons who had been killed by the demigods, forbade the demigods to continue killing. Then Śukrācārya, by his mystic power, renewed the lives of all the demons.
  12. The Mohinī-mūrti Incarnation Bewilders Lord Śivaplugin-autotooltip__small plugin-autotooltip_bigSB 8.12: The Mohinī-mūrti Incarnation Bewilders Lord Śiva

    The Mohinī-mūrti Incarnation Bewilders Lord Śiva

    This chapter describes how Lord Śiva was bewildered upon seeing the beautiful Mohinī-mūrti incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and how he later came to his senses. When Lord Śiva heard about the pastimes performed by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Hari, in the form of an attractive woman, he mounted his bull and went to see the Lord. Accompanied by his wife, Umā, and his servants, the
  13. Description of Future Manusplugin-autotooltip__small plugin-autotooltip_bigSB 8.13: Description of Future Manus

    Description of Future Manus

    Of the fourteen Manus, six Manus have already been described. Now, this chapter will consecutively describe each Manu from the seventh to the fourteenth.

    The seventh Manu, who is the son of Vivasvān, is known as Śrāddhadeva. He has ten sons, named Ikṣvāku, Nabhaga, Dhṛṣṭa, Śaryāti, Nariṣyanta, Nābhāga, Diṣṭa, Tarūṣa, Pṛṣadhra and Vasumān. In this
  14. The System of Universal Managementplugin-autotooltip__small plugin-autotooltip_bigSB 8.14: The System of Universal Management

    The System of Universal Management

    This chapter describes the duties allotted to Manu by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. All the Manus, as well as their sons, the sages, the demigods and the Indras, act under the orders of various incarnations of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. At the end of every
  15. Bali Mahārāja Conquers the Heavenly Planetsplugin-autotooltip__small plugin-autotooltip_bigSB 8.15: Bali Mahārāja Conquers the Heavenly Planets

    Bali Mahārāja Conquers the Heavenly Planets

    This chapter describes how Bali, after performing the Viśvajit-yajña, received the benediction of a chariot and various kinds of paraphernalia for war, with which he attacked the King of heaven. All the demigods, being afraid of him, left the heavenly planets and went away, following the instructions of their
  16. Executing the Payo-vrata Process of Worshipplugin-autotooltip__small plugin-autotooltip_bigSB 8.16: Executing the Payo-vrata Process of Worship

    Executing the Payo-vrata Process of Worship

    As described in this chapter, because Aditi, the mother of the demigods, was very afflicted, her husband, Kaśyapa Muni, told her how to observe vows in austerities for the benefit of her sons.

    Since the demigods were not visible in the heavenly kingdom, their mother, Aditi, because of separation from them, was very much aggrieved. One day after many, many years, the great sage Kaśyapa emerged from a trance of meditation and returned to his
  17. The Supreme Lord Agrees to Become Aditi's Sonplugin-autotooltip__small plugin-autotooltip_bigSB 8.17: The Supreme Lord Agrees to Become Aditi’s Son

    The Supreme Lord Agrees to Become Aditi’s Son

    As explained in this chapter, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, being very pleased by the payo-vrata ceremony performed by Aditi, appeared before her in full opulence. At her request, the Lord agreed to become her son.
  18. Lord Vāmanadeva, the Dwarf Incarnationplugin-autotooltip__small plugin-autotooltip_bigSB 8.18: Lord Vāmanadeva, the Dwarf Incarnation

    Lord Vāmanadeva, the Dwarf Incarnation

    This chapter describes how Lord Vāmanadeva appeared and how He went to the sacrificial arena of Mahārāja Bali, who received Him well and fulfilled His desire by offering Him benedictions.

    Lord Vāmanadeva appeared in this world from the womb of Aditi completely equipped with conchshell, disc, club and lotus. His bodily hue was blackish, and He was dressed in yellow garments. Lord Viṣṇu appeared at an auspicious moment on Śravaṇa-dvādaśī when the Abhijit st…
  19. Lord Vāmanadeva Begs Charity from Bali Mahārājaplugin-autotooltip__small plugin-autotooltip_bigSB 8.19: Lord Vāmanadeva Begs Charity from Bali Mahārāja

    Lord Vāmanadeva Begs Charity from Bali Mahārāja

    This Nineteenth Chapter describes how Lord Vāmanadeva asked for three paces of land in charity, how Bali Mahārāja agreed to His proposal, and how Śukrācārya forbade Bali Mahārāja to fulfill Lord Vāmanadeva
  20. Bali Mahārāja Surrenders the Universeplugin-autotooltip__small plugin-autotooltip_bigSB 8.20: Bali Mahārāja Surrenders the Universe

    Bali Mahārāja Surrenders the Universe

    The summary of this Twentieth Chapter is as follows. Despite his knowledge that Lord Vāmanadeva was cheating him, Bali Mahārāja gave everything to the Lord in charity, and thus the Lord extended His body and assumed a gigantic form as Lord Viṣṇu.
  21. Bali Mahārāja Arrested by the Lordplugin-autotooltip__small plugin-autotooltip_bigSB 8.21: Bali Mahārāja Arrested by the Lord

    Bali Mahārāja Arrested by the Lord

    This chapter describes how Lord Viṣṇu, desiring to advertise the glories of Bali Mahārāja, arrested him for not fulfilling his promise in regard to the Lord’s third step.

    With the second step the Supreme Personality of Godhead reached the topmost planet of the universe, Brahmaloka, which He diminished in beauty by the effulgence of His toenails. Thus Lord Brahmā, accompanied by great sages like Marīci and the predominating deities of all the higher planets, o…
  22. Bali Mahārāja Surrenders His Lifeplugin-autotooltip__small plugin-autotooltip_bigSB 8.22: Bali Mahārāja Surrenders His Life

    Bali Mahārāja Surrenders His Life

    The summary of this Twenty-second Chapter is as follows. The Supreme Personality of Godhead was pleased by the behavior of Bali Mahārāja. Thus the Lord placed him on the planet Sutala, and there, after bestowing benedictions upon him, the Lord agreed to become his doorman.
  23. The Demigods Regain the Heavenly Planetsplugin-autotooltip__small plugin-autotooltip_bigSB 8.23: The Demigods Regain the Heavenly Planets

    The Demigods Regain the Heavenly Planets

    This chapter describes how Bali Mahārāja, along with his grandfather Prahlāda Mahārāja, entered the planet Sutala and how the Supreme Personality of Godhead allowed Indra to reenter the heavenly planet.
  24. Matsya, the Lord's Fish Incarnationplugin-autotooltip__small plugin-autotooltip_bigSB 8.24: Matsya, the Lord’s Fish Incarnation

    Matsya, the Lord’s Fish Incarnation

    This chapter describes the Supreme Personality of Godhead’s incarnation as a fish, and it also describes the saving of Mahārāja Satyavrata from an inundation.

    The Supreme Personality of Godhead expands Himself by

Foreword

First of all, let me offer my humble, respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of my spiritual master, His Divine Grace Śrī Śrīmad Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Gosvāmī Prabhupāda. Sometime in the year 1935 when His Divine Grace was staying at Rādhā-kuṇḍa, I went to see him from Bombay. At that time, he gave me many important instructions in regard to constructing temples and publishing books. He personally told me that publishing books is more important than constructing temples. Of course, those same instructions remained within my mind for many years. In 1944 I began publishing my Back to Godhead, and when I retired from family life in 1958 I began publishing Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam in Delhi. When three parts of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam had been published in India, I then started for the United States of America on the thirteenth of August, 1965. 

I am continuously trying to publish books, as suggested by my spiritual master. Now, in this year, 1976, I have completed the Seventh Canto of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, and a summary of the Tenth Canto has already been published as Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Still, the Eighth Canto, Ninth Canto, Tenth Canto, Eleventh Canto and Twelfth Canto are yet to be published. On this occasion, therefore, I am praying to my spiritual master to give me strength to finish this work. I am neither a great scholar nor a great devotee; I am simply a humble servant of my spiritual master, and to the best of my ability I am trying to please him by publishing these books, with the cooperation of my disciples in America. Fortunately, scholars all over the world are appreciating these publications. Let us cooperatively publish more and more volumes of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam just to please His Divine Grace Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura.