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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
9.10.339.10.35-38

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.10.34

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 9.10.29inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

गोमूत्रयावकं श्रुत्वा भ्रातरं वल्कलाम्बरम् ।

महाकारुणिकोऽतप्यज्जटिलं स्थण्डिलेशयम् ॥ ३४ ॥

go-mūtra-yāvakaṁ śrutvā

bhrātaraṁ valkalāmbaram

mahā-kāruṇiko ’tapyaj

jaṭilaṁ sthaṇḍile-śayam

Translation

Upon reaching Ayodhyā, Lord Rāmacandra heard that in His absence His brother Bharata was eating barley cooked in the urine of a cow, covering His body with the bark of trees, wearing matted locks of hair, and lying on a mattress of kuśa. The most merciful Lord very much lamented this.

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.

The Lord’s Mercy Toward Bharata

  1. 1

    During Lord Rāmacandra’s absence, Bharata ate barley cooked in the urine of a cow.

  2. 2

    Bharata wore tree bark and matted hair and lay on a mattress of kuśa.

  3. 3

    Upon hearing this, the most merciful Lord Rāmacandra lamented very much.

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:

The Lord delivered Sītādevī from the Aśoka forest and carried her in a flower airplane to His capital Ayodhyā, where He was received by His brother Bharata. When Lord Rāmacandra entered Ayodhyā, Bharata brought His wooden shoes, Vibhīṣaṇa and Sugrīva held a whisk and fan, Hanumān carried an umbrella, Śatrughna carried the Lord’s bow and two quivers, and Sītādevī carried a waterpot containing water from holy places.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.10
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. go-mūtra-yāvakameating barley boiled in the urine of a cow
  2. śrutvāhearing
  3. bhrātaramHis brother Bharata
  4. valkala-ambaramcovered with the bark of trees
  5. mahā-kāruṇikaḥthe supremely merciful Lord Rāmacandra
  6. atapyatlamented very much
  7. jaṭilamwearing matted locks of hair
  8. sthaṇḍile-śayamlying down on a grass mattress, or kuśāsana.
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

  • Viraha · Longing in separation

    Love and remembrance experienced in apparent absence. · Theme in SB 9.10

    In this verse: “lamented”, “absence”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 9.10

    In this verse: “heard”, “hearing”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 9.10

    In this verse: “merciful”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does the Lord’s response to Bharata’s hardships help you appreciate about His mercy?

Practice

Pause for a minute to reflect on the words “the most merciful Lord” and His concern for Bharata.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord’s Mercy Toward BharataThis 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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