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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
1.9.161.9.18

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.9.17

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Bhīṣmadevasince 1.9.12inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

तस्मादिदं दैवतन्त्रं व्यवस्य भरतर्षभ ।

तस्यानुविहितोऽनाथा नाथ पाहि प्रजा: प्रभो ॥ १७ ॥

tasmād idaṁ daiva-tantraṁ

vyavasya bharatarṣabha

tasyānuvihito ’nāthā

nātha pāhi prajāḥ prabho

Translation

O best among the descendants of Bharata [Yudhiṣṭhira], I maintain, therefore, that all this is within the plan of the Lord. Accepting the inconceivable plan of the Lord, you must follow it. You are now the appointed administrative head, and, my lord, you should now take care of those subjects who are now rendered helpless.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Accept Providence and Care for Others

  1. 1

    Bhīṣmadeva advised Yudhiṣṭhira to accept the Lord’s inconceivable plan and take up his responsibility as ruler. The helpless subjects needed his protection.

  2. 2

    The Lord always teaches the sincere devotee from within. When He publicly teaches a devotee, He also teaches the world.

  3. 3

    A pure devotee accepts tribulations from the Lord as favors rather than resenting them. Because the Lord is absolute, these hardships and blessings have no mundane difference.

Key points from the purport
  • Similarly, the Lord teaches the world by teaching the devotee.
  • A devotee’s duty, therefore, is to ungrudgingly accept tribulations from the Lord as a benediction.
  • A pure devotee of the Lord accepts tribulations as favors from the Lord.

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. tasmāttherefore
  2. idamthis
  3. daiva-tantramenchantment of providence only
  4. vyavasyaascertaining
  5. bharata-ṛṣabhaO best among the descendants of Bharata
  6. tasyaby Him
  7. anuvihitaḥas desired
  8. anāthāḥhelpless
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 1.9

    In this verse: “administrative”, “ruler”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 1.9

    In this verse: “blessings”, “favors”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 1.9

    In this verse: “devotee”

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

What responsibility to others still calls for my attention while I face difficulty?

Practice

Do one small task today for someone who depends on your care, without postponing it because of your own frustration.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayAccept Providence and Care for OthersThis 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 1.9.17? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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