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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
1.9.331.9.35

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.9.34

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

युधि तुरगरजोविधूम्रविष्वक्-

कचलुलितश्रमवार्यलङ्‍कृतास्ये ।

मम निशितशरैर्विभिद्यमान-

त्वचि विलसत्कवचेऽस्तु कृष्ण आत्मा ॥ ३४ ॥

yudhi turaga-rajo-vidhūmra-viṣvak-

kaca-lulita-śramavāry-alaṅkṛtāsye

mama niśita-śarair vibhidyamāna-

tvaci vilasat-kavace ’stu kṛṣṇa ātmā

Translation

On the battlefield [where Śrī Kṛṣṇa attended Arjuna out of friendship], the flowing hair of Lord Kṛṣṇa turned ashen due to the dust raised by the hoofs of the horses. And because of His labor, beads of sweat wetted His face. All these decorations, intensified by the wounds dealt by my sharp arrows, were enjoyed by Him. Let my mind thus go unto Śrī Kṛṣṇa.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Kṛṣṇa Accepts Genuine Loving Service

  1. 1

    The Lord is the absolute form of eternity, bliss and knowledge. He graciously accepts service offered with genuine love and affection in any of the five principal relationships.

  2. 2

    Bhīṣmadeva’s arrows were a transcendental exchange of loving service, not ordinary hostility. The Lord and His body are one spiritual identity, so the apparent wounds caused Him no material pain.

  3. 3

    Kṛṣṇa did not leave Arjuna alone under Bhīṣmadeva’s arrows, nor was He reluctant to visit Bhīṣmadeva’s deathbed. Bhīṣmadeva appreciated this mercy and fixed his mind on Kṛṣṇa.

Key points from the purport
  • Thus his throwing of sharp arrows at the transcendental body of the Lord is as good as the worship of another devotee who throws soft roses upon Him.
  • The Lord was perfectly happy with the wounds caused by the sharpened arrows of Bhīṣmadeva.
  • The Lord enjoyed the wounds created by His great devotee Bhīṣmadeva, and because Bhīṣmadeva is a devotee in the chivalrous relation, he fixes up his mind on Kṛṣṇa in that wounded condition.

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. yudhion the battlefield
  2. turagahorses
  3. rajaḥdust
  4. vidhūmraturned an ashen color
  5. viṣvakwaving
  6. kacahair
  7. lulitascattered
  8. śramavāriperspiration
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: “friendship”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 1.9

    In this verse: “mercy”

  • 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 does Kṛṣṇa’s merciful treatment of Bhīṣmadeva teach me about His acceptance of genuine devotion?

Practice

Read the translation slowly once, then spend a quiet moment directing your mind toward Kṛṣṇa’s mercy.

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 todayKṛṣṇa Accepts Genuine Loving ServiceThis 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 1.9.34? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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