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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 10: The Pastimes of the Supreme Lord, Rāmacandra
9.10.179.10.19

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.10.18

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

रक्ष:पतिस्तदवलोक्य निकुम्भकुम्भ-

धूम्राक्षदुर्मुखसुरान्तकनरान्तकादीन् ।

पुत्रं प्रहस्तमतिकायविकम्पनादीन्

सर्वानुगान् समहिनोदथ कुम्भकर्णम् ॥ १८ ॥

rakṣaḥ-patis tad avalokya nikumbha-kumbha-

dhūmrākṣa-durmukha-surāntaka-narāntakādīn

putraṁ prahastam atikāya-vikampanādīn

sarvānugān samahinod atha kumbhakarṇam

Translation

When Rāvaṇa, the master of the Rākṣasas, saw the disturbances created by the monkey soldiers, he called for Nikumbha, Kumbha, Dhūmrākṣa, Durmukha, Surāntaka, Narāntaka and other Rākṣasas and also his son Indrajit. Thereafter he called for Prahasta, Atikāya, Vikampana and finally Kumbhakarṇa. Then he induced all his followers to fight against the enemies.

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.

Rāvaṇa Calls His Followers to Battle

  1. 1

    Rāvaṇa, the master of the Rākṣasas, saw the disturbances caused by the monkey soldiers.

  2. 2

    He summoned many Rākṣasas, including Nikumbha, Kumbha and his son Indrajit.

  3. 3

    He also called Prahasta, Atikāya and Vikampana, and finally Kumbhakarṇa. He then induced all his followers to fight the enemies.

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:

Lord Rāmacandra went with Viśvāmitra and killed Rākṣasas like Mārīca. After breaking the stout and strong bow known as Haradhanu, the Lord married mother Sītā and cut down the prestige of Paraśurāma.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.10
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. rakṣaḥ-patiḥthe master of the Rākṣasas (Rāvaṇa)
  2. tatsuch disturbances
  3. avalokyaafter seeing
  4. nikumbhaNikumbha
  5. kumbhaKumbha
  6. dhūmrākṣaDhūmrākṣa
  7. durmukhaDurmukha
  8. surāntakaSurāntaka
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

What do you notice about Rāvaṇa’s response to the disturbances?

Practice

Summarize this verse in one sentence, keeping to what Rāvaṇa saw and did.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRāvaṇa Calls His Followers to BattleThis 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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