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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
1.9.341.9.36

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.9.35

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

सपदि सखिवचो निशम्य मध्ये

निजपरयोर्बलयो रथं निवेश्य ।

स्थितवति परसैनिकायुरक्ष्णा

हृतवति पार्थसखे रतिर्ममास्तु ॥ ३५ ॥

sapadi sakhi-vaco niśamya madhye

nija-parayor balayo rathaṁ niveśya

sthitavati para-sainikāyur akṣṇā

hṛtavati pārtha-sakhe ratir mamāstu

Translation

In obedience to the command of His friend, Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa entered the arena of the Battlefield of Kurukṣetra between the soldiers of Arjuna and Duryodhana, and while there He shortened the life spans of the opposite party by His merciful glance. This was done simply by His looking at the enemy. Let my mind be fixed upon that Kṛṣṇa.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Kṛṣṇa’s Loving Actions Benefit Everyone

  1. 1

    The Supreme Lord is never anyone’s servant by obligation. Yet out of causeless mercy and affection, He takes pleasure in carrying out His pure devotee’s order.

  2. 2

    Kṛṣṇa’s glance shortened the lives of Arjuna’s opponents, but this was mercy rather than ordinary partiality. The fighters attained salvation by seeing the Lord at death.

  3. 3

    The Lord is absolute and all good at all times. What appeared to serve only Arjuna’s victory also brought good to his enemies.

Key points from the purport
  • He therefore addressed the Lord as the friend of Arjuna.
  • The Lord diminished the duration of life of the opposite party by His merciful glance.
  • Here was a chance to see the Lord at the time of death and thus attain salvation from material 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.

Connected verses· 1

The purport of SB 1.9.35 quotesBG 1.21

In the Bhagavad-gītā (1.21-25) Arjuna ordered the infallible Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa to place his chariot between the phalanxes of the soldiers.

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. sapadion the battlefield
  2. sakhi-vacaḥcommand of the friend
  3. niśamyaafter hearing
  4. madhyein the midst
  5. nijaHis own
  6. parayoḥand the opposite party
  7. balayoḥstrength
  8. rathamchariot
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

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 1.9

    In this verse: “merciful”, “mercy”, “causeless”

  • 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: “devotee’s”

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 does this account deepen my understanding of Kṛṣṇa’s affection for His devotees and mercy toward others?

Practice

Recall Kṛṣṇa placing Arjuna’s chariot between the armies, and offer a brief prayer for a loving relationship with Him.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa’s Loving Actions Benefit EveryoneThis 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 1.9.35? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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