1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

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

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 1 · Creation · 19 chapters

12345678910111213141516171819

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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
1.9.321.9.34

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.9.33

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Bhīṣmadevasince 1.9.32inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

त्रिभुवनकमनं तमालवर्णं

रविकरगौरवराम्बरं दधाने ।

वपुरलककुलावृताननाब्जं

विजयसखे रतिरस्तु मेऽनवद्या ॥ ३३ ॥

tri-bhuvana-kamanaṁ tamāla-varṇaṁ

ravi-kara-gaura-vara-ambaraṁ dadhāne

vapur alaka-kulāvṛtānanābjaṁ

vijaya-sakhe ratir astu me ’navadyā

Translation

Śrī Kṛṣṇa is the intimate friend of Arjuna. He has appeared on this earth in His transcendental body, which resembles the bluish color of the tamāla tree. His body attracts everyone in the three planetary systems [upper, middle and lower]. May His glittering yellow dress and His lotus face, covered with paintings of sandalwood pulp, be the object of my attraction, and may I not desire fruitive results.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Attraction to Kṛṣṇa Without Fruitive Desires

  1. 1

    Kṛṣṇa appears by His internal potency. His beautiful transcendental body has nothing to do with anything materially created.

  2. 2

    Bhīṣmadeva remembers Kṛṣṇa’s glittering dress as Arjuna’s charioteer. The Lord is pleased when addressed together with His devotees.

  3. 3

    A genuine relationship with the Supreme Lord can take any of the five principal forms, without difference in transcendental degree. Bhīṣmadeva desires attraction to Kṛṣṇa without desire for fruitive results.

Key points from the purport
  • While fighting was going on between Arjuna and Bhīṣma, Bhīṣma’s attraction was drawn by the glittering dress of Kṛṣṇa, and indirectly he admired his so-called enemy Arjuna for possessing the Lord as his friend.
  • Arjuna was always a conqueror because the Lord was his friend.
  • While Kṛṣṇa was the charioteer of Arjuna, sun rays glittered on the dress of the Lord, and the beautiful hue created by the reflection of such rays was never forgotten by Bhīṣmadeva.

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. tri-bhuvanathree statuses of planetary systems
  2. kamanamthe most desirable
  3. tamāla-varṇambluish like the tamāla tree
  4. ravi-karasun rays
  5. gauragolden color
  6. varāmbaramglittering dress
  7. dadhāneone who wears
  8. vapuḥbody
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Īśānukathā · The science of God

    Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 of 10

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

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

    In this verse: “friend”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotees”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “materially”

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

How can I turn my attention toward Kṛṣṇa rather than the rewards I hope to receive?

Practice

Spend one minute remembering Kṛṣṇa’s yellow dress and lotus face as described here, and pray for attraction to Him without seeking a reward.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayAttraction to Kṛṣṇa Without Fruitive DesiresThis 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 1.9.33? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories