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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
1.9.281.9.30

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.9.29

Nirodha· Winding up
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Sūta Gosvāmīsince 1.9.25inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

धर्मं प्रवदतस्तस्य स काल: प्रत्युपस्थित: ।

यो योगिनश्छन्दमृत्योर्वाञ्छितस्तूत्तरायण: ॥ २९ ॥

dharmaṁ pravadatas tasya

sa kālaḥ pratyupasthitaḥ

yo yoginaś chanda-mṛtyor

vāñchitas tūttarāyaṇaḥ

Translation

While Bhīṣmadeva was describing occupational duties, the sun’s course ran into the northern hemisphere. This period is desired by mystics who die at their will.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Bhīṣmadeva Awaits the Auspicious Moment

  1. 1

    While Bhīṣmadeva was teaching occupational duties, the sun began its northern course. This is an auspicious time desired by expert mystics for leaving the body.

  2. 2

    Perfect yogīs can leave the material body at a chosen time and reach a desired planet. The purport describes self-realized souls aligned with the Supreme Lord’s interest as attaining the transcendental sky.

  3. 3

    Bhīṣmadeva knew this science and waited for the suitable moment. He prepared to leave his body in the presence of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Pāṇḍavas and great sages.

Key points from the purport
  • The perfect yogīs or mystics can leave the material body at their own sweet will at a suitable time and go to a suitable planet desired by them.
  • In the Bhagavad-gītā (8.24) it is said that self-realized souls who have exactly identified themselves with the interest of the Supreme Lord can generally leave the material body during the time of the fire-god’s effulgence and when the sun is in the northern horizon, and thus achieve the transcendental sky.
  • Yogīs can also reach any planet within no time without a material vehicle.

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

Connected verses· 1

The purport of SB 1.9.29 quotesBG 8.24

In the Bhagavad-gītā (8.24) it is said that self-realized souls who have exactly identified themselves with the interest of the Supreme Lord can generally leave the material body during the time of the fire-god’s effulgence and when the sun is in the northern horizon, and thus achieve the transcendental sky.

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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. dharmamoccupational duties
  2. pravadataḥwhile describing
  3. tasyahis
  4. saḥthat
  5. kālaḥtime
  6. pratyupasthitaḥexactly appeared
  7. yaḥthat is
  8. yoginaḥfor the mystics
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Nirodha · Returning home, back to Godhead

    What happens when everything here comes to an end? · Subject 8 of 10

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

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

    In this verse: “duties”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 1.9

    In this verse: “material”

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 would it mean to align my interests more closely with the Supreme Lord’s interests?

Practice

Pause before one activity today and consider whether its purpose agrees with the Supreme Lord’s interests.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayBhīṣmadeva Awaits the Auspicious MomentThis 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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