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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
1.9.241.9.26

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.9.25

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Sūta Gosvāmīsince 1.9.25inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

सूत उवाच

युधिष्ठिरस्तदाकर्ण्य शयानं शरपञ्जरे ।

अपृच्छद्विविधान्धर्मानृषीणां चानुश‍ृण्वताम् ॥ २५ ॥

sūta uvāca

yudhiṣṭhiras tad ākarṇya

śayānaṁ śara-pañjare

apṛcchad vividhān dharmān

ṛṣīṇāṁ cānuśṛṇvatām

Translation

Sūta Gosvāmī said: Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira, after hearing Bhīṣmadeva speak in that appealing tone, asked him, in the presence of all the great ṛṣis, about the essential principles of various religious duties.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Lord Establishes His Devotee’s Glory

  1. 1

    Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa inspired Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira to ask Bhīṣmadeva about religious duties before the assembled sages. This revealed the greatness of His devotee, though he appeared to live as a worldly man.

  2. 2

    Although Bhīṣmadeva was suffering on his deathbed, his spiritual enlightenment enabled him to speak about the right way of life. The Lord wanted to demonstrate His pure devotee’s spiritual steadiness.

  3. 3

    Kṛṣṇa arranged for Bhīṣmadeva’s glory to be established. The Lord declares that worship of His devotee is more valuable than worship of Himself.

Key points from the purport
  • Bhīṣmadeva, speaking in that appealing tone, convinced Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira that he was very soon passing away.
  • Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa inspired Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira to ask Bhīṣmadeva in the presence of many great sages, indicating thereby that the Lord’s devotee like Bhīṣmadeva, although apparently living as a worldly man, is far superior to many great sages, even Vyāsadeva.
  • One should not have asked him any question at that time, but Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa wanted to prove that His pure devotees are always sound in body and mind by dint of spiritual enlightenment, and thus in any circumstances a devotee of the Lord is in perfect order to speak of the right way of life.

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. sūtaḥ uvācaŚrī Sūta Gosvāmī said
  2. yudhiṣṭhiraḥKing Yudhiṣṭhira
  3. tatthat
  4. ākarṇyahearing
  5. śayānamlying down
  6. śara-pañjareon the bed of arrows
  7. apṛcchatasked
  8. vividhānmultifarious
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

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

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

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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotee”, “worship”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 1.9

    In this verse: “hearing”

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

Do I recognize spiritual wisdom beyond someone’s outward circumstances?

Practice

Write down one sincere question about your duties that you would like to ask a spiritually enlightened devotee.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord Establishes His Devotee’s GloryThis 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.

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