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Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

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Canto 1 · Creation · 19 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 ›
Canto 1 · Chapter 9: The Passing Away of Bhīṣmadeva in the Presence of Lord Kṛṣṇa
1.9.111.9.13

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.9.12

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Bhīṣmadevasince 1.9.12inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

अहो कष्टमहोऽन्याय्यं यद्यूयं धर्मनन्दना: ।

जीवितुं नार्हथ क्लिष्टं विप्रधर्माच्युताश्रया: ॥ १२ ॥

aho kaṣṭam aho ’nyāyyaṁ

yad yūyaṁ dharma-nandanāḥ

jīvituṁ nārhatha kliṣṭaṁ

vipra-dharmācyutāśrayāḥ

Translation

Bhīṣmadeva said: Oh, what terrible sufferings and what terrible injustices you good souls suffer for being the sons of religion personified. You did not deserve to remain alive under those tribulations, yet you were protected by the brāhmaṇas, God and religion.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Shelter Amid Injustice and Suffering

  1. 1

    Bhīṣmadeva understood Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira’s distress and acknowledged the terrible injustice the Pāṇḍavas had suffered.

  2. 2

    The Pāṇḍavas were always protected by the brāhmaṇas, the Lord and religious principles. Bhīṣmadeva reminded them of this shelter to dispel their despondency.

  3. 3

    One who cooperates with the Lord’s wishes, accepts guidance from bona fide brāhmaṇas and Vaiṣṇavas, and follows religious principles has no cause for despondency, however trying life becomes.

Key points from the purport
  • Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira was disturbed due to the great massacre in the Battle of Kurukṣetra.
  • Bhīṣmadeva could understand this, and therefore he spoke first of the terrible sufferings of Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira.
  • Thus Bhīṣmadeva encouraged Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira to dissipate his despondency.

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

How it feels

Grief → Trust. Violence and bereavement make Kṛṣṇa's protective presence precious.

Chapters 7–9 of Canto 1: Postwar anguish, Kuntī and Bhīṣma. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 9: The Passing Away of Bhīṣmadeva in the Presence of Lord Kṛṣṇa

Bhīṣmadeva instructs Yudhiṣṭhira and fixes his attention on Kṛṣṇa as he prepares to pass away.

Back to this verse in chapter 1.9
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. ahooh
  2. kaṣṭamwhat terrible sufferings
  3. ahooh
  4. anyāyyamwhat terrible injustice
  5. yatbecause
  6. yūyamall of you good souls
  7. dharma-nandanāḥsons of religion personified
  8. jīvitumto remain alive
3

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

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 1.9

    In this verse: “religion”, “religious”, “principles”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 1.9

    In this verse: “sufferings”, “distress”

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 1.9

    In this verse: “protected”

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

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

When circumstances are difficult, how can I remember the shelter of the Lord and His genuine guides?

Practice

Recall one religious principle you have learned from genuine spiritual guidance, and consciously follow it in one decision today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayShelter Amid Injustice and SufferingThis 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 1.9.12? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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