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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.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›
Canto 9 · Chapter 10: The Pastimes of the Supreme Lord, Rāmacandra
9.10.169.10.18

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.10.17

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 9.10.16inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

सा वानरेन्द्रबलरुद्धविहारकोष्ठ-

श्रीद्वारगोपुरसदोवलभीविटङ्का ।

निर्भज्यमानधिषणध्वजहेमकुम्भ-

श‍ृङ्गाटका गजकुलैर्ह्रदिनीव घूर्णा ॥ १७ ॥

sā vānarendra-bala-ruddha-vihāra-koṣṭha-

śrī-dvāra-gopura-sado-valabhī-viṭaṅkā

nirbhajyamāna-dhiṣaṇa-dhvaja-hema-kumbha-

śṛṅgāṭakā gaja-kulair hradinīva ghūrṇā

Translation

After entering Laṅkā, the monkey soldiers, led by chiefs like Sugrīva, Nīla and Hanumān, occupied all the sporting houses, granaries, treasuries, palace doorways, city gates, assembly houses, palace frontages and even the resting houses of the pigeons. When the city’s crossroads, platforms, flags and golden waterpots on its domes were all destroyed, the entire city of Laṅkā appeared like a river disturbed by a herd of elephants.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Laṅkā Is Shaken by the Monkey Army

  1. 1

    The monkey soldiers were led by chiefs such as Sugrīva, Nīla and Hanumān.

  2. 2

    They occupied Laṅkā’s sporting houses, granaries, treasuries, gates and assembly houses. Even the pigeons’ resting houses were occupied.

  3. 3

    The city’s crossroads, platforms, flags and golden waterpots were destroyed. Laṅkā appeared like a river disturbed by a herd of elephants.

How it feels

Exile and separation → Loyalty and reunion. Duty, loss and sacrifice shape the dramatic center of this canto.

Chapters 10–12 of Canto 9: The pastimes of Lord Rāmacandra. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 10: The Pastimes of the Supreme Lord, Rāmacandra

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Previously, Hanumān, the eternal servant of the Lord, had set fire to Laṅkā, and now, with the help of Lakṣmaṇa, the forces of Lord Rāmacandra killed all the Rākṣasa soldiers. Then Lord Rāmacandra personally killed Rāvaṇa.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.10
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. sāthe place known as Laṅkā
  2. vānara-indraof the great chiefs of the monkeys
  3. balaby the strength
  4. ruddhastopped, encircled
  5. vihārapleasure houses
  6. koṣṭhathe places where food grains were stocked
  7. śrīthe treasury houses
  8. dvārathe doors of palaces
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

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does the image of a disturbed river help you picture the scene?

Practice

Read the translation slowly once, noticing how its final comparison brings the scene to life.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayLaṅkā Is Shaken by the Monkey ArmyThis 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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