Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 9.23.7-10
Visarga· Brahmā's creationṚṣyaśṛṅga’s Sacrifices and the Royal Families
“From Diviratha came a son named Dharmaratha, and his son was Citraratha, who was celebrated as Romapāda. Romapāda, however, was without issue, and therefore his friend Mahārāja Daśaratha gave him his own daughter, named Śāntā. Romapāda accepted her as his daughter, and thereafter she married Ṛṣyaśṛṅga. When the demigods from the heavenly planets failed to shower rain, Ṛṣyaśṛṅga was appointed the priest for performing a sacrifice, after being brought from the forest by the allurement of prostitutes, who danced, staged theatrical performances accompanied by music, and embraced and worshiped him. After Ṛṣyaśṛṅga came, the rain fell. Thereafter, Ṛṣyaśṛṅga performed a son-giving sacrifice on behalf of Mahārāja Daśaratha, who had no issue, and then Mahārāja Daśaratha had sons. From Romapāda, by the mercy of Ṛṣyaśṛṅga, Caturaṅga was born, and from Caturaṅga came Pṛthulākṣa.”
What the purport teaches
- Diviratha’s son was Dharmaratha, whose son Citraratha was celebrated as Romapāda. Because Romapāda had no children, his friend Mahārāja Daśaratha gave him his daughter Śāntā, who later married Ṛṣyaśṛṅga.
- When rain failed, prostitutes brought Ṛṣyaśṛṅga from the forest through dancing, music, theatrical performances and affectionate attention. He was appointed priest for a sacrifice, and rain fell after he came.
- Ṛṣyaśṛṅga performed a son-giving sacrifice for Mahārāja Daśaratha, who then had sons. By Ṛṣyaśṛṅga’s mercy, Romapāda had Caturaṅga, whose son was Pṛthulākṣa.
Try this today
List the three outcomes described: rainfall, sons for Mahārāja Daśaratha, and a son for Romapāda.
Ask yourself
What help did Romapāda and Mahārāja Daśaratha receive through Ṛṣyaśṛṅga?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points, practice and question are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Read the full purport to go deeper.