Sunday, 29 January 2023 VIII.01 - The appearances of Bhagavan among Manus and the prelude to Gajendra Moksha.
Monday, 30 January 2023 Summaries of Skandhas V. VI and VII - This is a good time to recollect important takeaways from these Skandhas. I will confine myself to very few quotations. The details can all be accessed through the ready indices at the bottom of the post by each blog link.
Tuesday, 31 January 2023 VIII.02 - After describing the heavenly scene of the inestimable beauty of nature in all her splendour around Trikuta mountain, Vyasa tells how Gajendra with his herd in tow sports in the lake only to be caught by a crocodile from whom he cannot release himself.
Wednesday, 1 February 2023 VIII.03 - Gajendra's ardent and desperate prayer to Bhagavan Sri Hari brings Him on Gauda double quick and Gajendra is released.
Thursday, 2 February 2023 VIII.04 - The story of how Gajendra had been born and his final journey. Bhagavan's instruction to the world.
Friday, 3 February 2023 VIII.05 - Brahma's prayer to Bhagavan Maha Vishnu to restore the Devas defeated by Asuras due to Sage Durvasa's curse. This is the build-up to Samudra Manthan.
Saturday, 4 February 2023 VIII.06 - On Bhagavan's instructions, the Devas make a truce with Asuras led by Bali Chakravarti. They go and try to bring the Mandara mountain for the churning rod and are unable to lift it to the Milky Ocean. Bhagavan Maha Vishnu comes and helps them.
Sunday, 5 February 2023 VIII.07 - This chapter covers how Bhagavan Maha Vishnu comes as Kurma/Kacchapa avatara (tortoise) and helps in churning the Milky Ocean. When Halahala the deadly poison to destroy all life appears, Bhagavan Shiva is prayed to by the gods and He gladly consumes the poison.
Monday, 6 February 2023 VIII.07 Cont'd. - Let us read the shlokas and meanings today of how Bhagavan conducted Marutha Manthan and how Bhagavan Shiva saved everyone by drinking the Kalakuta poison.
Tuesday, 7 February 2023 VIII.08 Part 1 - The appearance of Sri Lakshmi Devi and her wedding Bhagavan Maha Vishnu.
Wednesday, 8 February 2023 VIII.08 Part 2 - The appearance of Amrutha and the need for Bhagavan to become Mohini.
Thursday, 9 February 2023 VIII.09 - The besotted Asuras request Bhagavan as Mohini to distribute the Amrutha. They realise Mohini is none other than Bhagavan Maha Vishnu but by then all the Amrutha is already given to Devas.
Friday, 10 February 2023 VIII.10 - The Asuras are naturally most frustrated by Bhagavan's plan and are so enraged they wage a full-scale battle to end all battles with the Devas. Their Maya (illusory warfare) brings Bhagavan Himself into the battlefield.
Saturday, 11 February 2023 - Srimad Bhagavatam VIII.11 - The Devas can vanquish all the great Asuras, one by one. Sage Narada advises them to cease the hostility. Sage Shukra restores Bali back to life.
Sunday, 12 February 2023 - Srimad Bhagavatam VIII.12- The divine Leela of Bhagavan Maha Vishnu and Lord Shiva when even Shiva is overwhelmed with passion on seeing Mohini. I have reproduced the entire chapter and its translation (based on Bhaktivedanta).
Monday, 13 February 2023 - Srimad Bhagavatam VIII.13- The various manvantaras and the Lord's incarnations therein, including that of Vamana who blesses Bali uniquely.
Tuesday, 14 February 2023 - Srimad Bhagavatam VIII.14- How Bhagavan runs the universe through different Yugas.
Wednesday, 15 February 2023 - Srimad Bhagavatam VIII.15- Bali, by the blessings of Bhargava Shukracharya, wins over the three worlds and lords over them in great prosperity.
Thursday, 16 February 2023 - Srimad Bhagavatam VIII.16- Bhagavan's Leela continues. Aditi laments her sons' i.e. the Devas' loss of status and home. Her husband Sage Kashyapa instructs her to do an intense and severe form of worship of Bhagavan called Payo-vrata to fulfil her desires.
Friday, 17 February 2023 - Srimad Bhagavatam VIII.17- Aditi's Payo-vrata brings Bhagavan's Darshan. He blesses her that He will take birth as her child and ameliorate the condition of Devas.
Sunday, 19 February 2023 - Srimad Bhagavatam VIII.18 - Part 2- The celebration of the fantastic Avatara of Bhagavan as Vamana and His splendid entry into the arena of King Bali's Yajna.
Saturday, 18 February 2023 - Srimad Bhagavatam VIII.18 - Part 1- The birth of Bhagavan as Vamana Avatara, son of Aditi.
Sunday, 19 February 2023 - Srimad Bhagavatam VIII.18 - Part 2- The celebration of the fantastic Avatara of Bhagavan as Vamana and His splendid entry into the arena of King Bali's Yajna.
Monday, 20 February 2023 - Srimad Bhagavatam VIII.19- Praising Bali's dynasty and his generosity, the young Brahmin Vamana asks for 3 paces of land. Bali ridicules him saying he should ask for more from the supreme lord of the three worlds. Sage Shukracharya warns Bali.
Tuesday, 21 February 2023 - Srimad Bhagavatam VIII.20- Bali incurs his Guru's curse for not retracting his offer to Vamana. Vamana assumes the Virat Rupa of Bhagavan Maha Vishnu and measures the three worlds in just two steps.
Wednesday, 22 February 2023 - Srimad Bhagavatam VIII.21- Bhagavan Vamana as Trivikrama is worshipped by all. Bali accepts his fate with composure as he is punished for being unable to give the gift of land for Bhagavan's third measure. He is bound and sent to the netherworld.
Thursday, 23 February 2023 - Srimad Bhagavatam VIII.22- Bali shows his true mettle by accepting the Lord's punishment. Bhagavan explains to him, in the presence of Prahlada who arrives there, and Brahma, that by His grace, Bali will live well in the splendid Sutala and later attain the status of Indra during Manu Savarni's period.
Friday, 24 February 2023 - Srimad Bhagavatam VIII.23- This chapter concludes the story of Bhagavan Vamana by reemphasising the many ways Ishwara takes care of all creation.
Saturday, 25 February 2023 - Srimad Bhagavatam VIII.24- Matsyavatara - Part 1
Sunday, 26 February 2023 - Srimad Bhagavatam VIII.24 Conclusion- Satyavrata is instructed to save all life forms in the cataclysmic deluge by carrying them along with Saptarishis in a boat provided and steered by the Matsya Avatara.
Monday, 27 February 2023 - Srimad Bhagavatam VIII Summary- The stories of Gajendra Moksha, Shiva drinking the poison, Mohini, and Bali's redemption.
