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

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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
1.9.211.9.23

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.9.22

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

तथाप्येकान्तभक्तेषु पश्य भूपानुकम्पितम् ।

यन्मेऽसूंस्त्यजत: साक्षात्कृष्णो दर्शनमागत: ॥ २२ ॥

tathāpy ekānta-bhakteṣu

paśya bhūpānukampitam

yan me ’sūṁs tyajataḥ sākṣāt

kṛṣṇo darśanam āgataḥ

Translation

Yet, despite His being equally kind to everyone, He has graciously come before me while I am ending my life, for I am His unflinching servitor.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Draw Close Through Unflinching Devotion

  1. 1

    Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is equal to everyone, yet especially inclined toward His completely surrendered devotee. His presence before Bhīṣmadeva shows this loving care.

  2. 2

    Faith in the Lord as protector, friend and master is the natural condition of eternal life. False independence is the root of trouble, so one should draw toward Him in all circumstances.

  3. 3

    The best way to establish a sweet spiritual relationship with the Lord is through His recognized devotees. A competent guide leads us on the right path of loving service.

Key points from the purport
  • The Supreme Lord, the Absolute Personality of Godhead, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, although equal to everyone, is still more inclined to His unflinching devotee who is completely surrendered and knows no one else as his protector and master.
  • The appearance of Lord Kṛṣṇa at the deathbed of Bhīṣmajī is due to his being an unflinching devotee of the Lord.
  • Arjuna had some bodily relation with Kṛṣṇa because the Lord happened to be his maternal cousin.

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
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tathāpistill
  2. ekāntaunflinching
  3. bhakteṣuunto the devotees
  4. paśyasee here
  5. bhū-paO King
  6. anukampitamhow sympathetic
  7. yatfor which
  8. memy
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotee”

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

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

    In this verse: “protector”

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 1.9

    In this verse: “friend”

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

Where am I trying to be fully independent rather than depending on the Lord?

Practice

Offer a short prayer today acknowledging Kṛṣṇa as your protector, friend and master.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 1.9's connections

Live this todayDraw Close Through Unflinching DevotionThis 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 1.9.22? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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