Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.50.56
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
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ādhipatyam
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delegated power of control
From adhi + pati — 'overlordship.' The demigods' authority is not inherent but delegated. Compare Gītā 7.21–22 — Kṛṣṇa Himself grants the demigods their power to grant boons. Here that delegation is being temporarily revoked.
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pratyarpayām āsuḥ
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they offered back
Prati + arpaṇa + āsuḥ. The return-offering. The same root √ṛ that gives ārpaṇa (offering) is intensified by prati (back) — devotional return. Even the demigods, in this verse, perform ātma-nivedana.
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bhūmi-gate
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having come to the earth
Locative absolute. 'When Bhagavān had come to the earth.' The descent has reorganized the cosmic order — power, while He is here, concentrates around Him. Vaiṣṇavas: this is the standing condition even today, hidden but real.
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siddhaye
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for the exercise of authority
Dative of siddhi — 'for accomplishment.' The demigods had received power not for their own enjoyment but as a means of administration. With Bhagavān present, the means becomes unnecessary, and the borrowed authority is returned.
By the power of yogamaya potency he brought the citizens of Mathura to Dvaraka. This is described in the Padma Purana, Uttara Khanda. "While the residents of Mathura were in deep sleep Janardana picked them up and placed them suddenly in Dvaraka. When they woke up they saw that they were sitting with wives and children in golden houses." He consulted with Balarama, saying, "You stay here for a short time, and by this strategy I will have someone kill him."
They gave their powers to the Lord (harau), who for fun gathered (āhara) all his various powers for enjoying his pastimes. They gave their powers to the Lord (bhagavati), for he was Svayam Bhagavān who had appeared on earth for his supreme pastimes. Śukadeva calls out enthusiastically to Parīkṣit, “O king!” One should see Hari-vaṁśa for an elaborate description of the making of Dvārakā.
- Where have you held onto authority that would naturally return to its source if the source were closer?
- How does presence of the principal simplify delegations?
The Lord having come to earth, the demigods return to Him every power He had earlier loaned them. The cosmic administration consolidates — what had been delegated comes home. The verse states the standing Vaiṣṇava theology of īśvara-tattva: all power is Kṛṣṇa's; the demigods are temporary stewards.
My note
Source: vedabase.io