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

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Canto 9 · Liberation · 24 chapters

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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.
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Canto 9 · Chapter 1: King Sudyumna Becomes a Woman
9.1.179.1.19

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.1.18

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 9.1.7inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

यूयं ब्रह्मविदो युक्तास्तपसा दग्धकिल्बिषा: ।

कुत: सङ्कल्पवैषम्यमनृतं विबुधेष्विव ॥ १८ ॥

yūyaṁ brahma-vido yuktās

tapasā dagdha-kilbiṣāḥ

kutaḥ saṅkalpa-vaiṣamyam

anṛtaṁ vibudheṣv iva

Translation

You are all self-controlled, well balanced in mind, and aware of the Absolute Truth. And because of austerities and penances you are completely cleansed of all material contamination. Your words, like those of the demigods, are never baffled. Then how is it possible that your determination has failed?

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Purification Gives Weight to One’s Words

  1. 1

    Manu described the priests as self-controlled, balanced in mind, and aware of the Absolute Truth.

  2. 2

    Austerities, penances, control of the senses and mind, and full knowledge of the Absolute Truth cleanse one of material contamination.

  3. 3

    The purport explains that the words and blessings of such purified persons, like those of the demigods, do not fail. This was why Manu questioned the unexpected result.

Key points from the purport
  • We have learned from many Vedic literatures that a benediction or curse given by the demigods never proves false.
  • By performing austerities and penances, by controlling the senses and mind, and by achieving full knowledge of the Absolute Truth, one is fully cleansed of material contamination.
  • Then one’s words and blessings, like those of the demigods, are never a failure.

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

Change → Acceptance. The instability of worldly identities is a recurring premise.

Chapters 1–3 of Canto 9: Dynastic origins and domestic transformations. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 1: King Sudyumna Becomes a Woman

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

From the mind of Lord Brahmā, Marīci was generated, and his son was Kaśyapa. From Kaśyapa, through Aditi, Vivasvān was generated, and from Vivasvān came Śrāddhadeva Manu, who was born from the womb of Saṁjñā.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.1
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yūyamof all you
  2. brahma-vidaḥcompletely in awareness of the Absolute Truth
  3. yuktāḥself-controlled and well balanced
  4. tapasāby dint of austerity and penances
  5. dagdha-kilbiṣāḥall kinds of material contamination having been burnt out
  6. kutaḥthen how
  7. saṅkalpa-vaiṣamyamdiscrepancy in the matter of determination
  8. anṛtamfalse promise, false statement
  9. vibudheṣuin the society of the demigods
  10. ivaor
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

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 9.1

    In this verse: “cleansed”, “contamination”, “purified”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 9.1

    In this verse: “absolute truth”, “knowledge”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 9.1

    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 place do control of the senses and mind have in my daily life?

Practice

Choose one moment today to restrain an unnecessary impulse and calmly direct your mind back to your responsibility.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayPurification Gives Weight to One’s WordsThis 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 9.1.18? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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