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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
9.10.49.10.6-7

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.10.5

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 9.10.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

विश्वामित्राध्वरे येन मारीचाद्या निशाचरा: ।

पश्यतो लक्ष्मणस्यैव हता नैर्ऋतपुङ्गवा: ॥ ५ ॥

viśvāmitrādhvare yena

mārīcādyā niśā-carāḥ

paśyato lakṣmaṇasyaiva

hatā nairṛta-puṅgavāḥ

Translation

In the arena of the sacrifice performed by Viśvāmitra, Lord Rāmacandra, the King of Ayodhyā, killed many demons, Rākṣasas and uncivilized men who wandered at night in the mode of darkness. May Lord Rāmacandra, who killed these demons in the presence of Lakṣmaṇa, be kind enough to give us protection.

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 Protects the Sacrificial Arena

  1. 1

    Lord Rāmacandra, the King of Ayodhyā, killed many demons in the arena of Viśvāmitra’s sacrifice.

  2. 2

    These Rākṣasas wandered at night in the mode of darkness. Lakṣmaṇa witnessed the Lord killing them.

  3. 3

    The verse asks Lord Rāmacandra, who killed these demons, to kindly give us protection.

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. viśvāmitra-adhvarein the sacrificial arena of the great sage Viśvāmitra
  2. yenaby whom (Lord Rāmacandra)
  3. mārīca-ādyāḥheaded by Mārīca
  4. niśā-carāḥthe uncivilized persons wandering at night in the darkness of ignorance
  5. paśyataḥ lakṣmaṇasyabeing seen by Lakṣmaṇa
  6. evaindeed
  7. hatāḥwere killed
  8. nairṛta-puṅgavāḥthe great chiefs of the Rākṣasas
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 9.10

    In this verse: “king”

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 9.10

    In this verse: “protection”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 9.10

    In this verse: “kindly”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can I make this request for the Lord’s protection a sincere prayer?

Practice

Take a quiet moment to ask Lord Rāmacandra kindly to protect you.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord Protects the Sacrificial ArenaThis 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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