1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

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

Or browse by canto and chapter

Canto

Canto 9 · Liberation · 24 chapters

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

How to study this verse, in six steps

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
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

9.10.53 9.10.55

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.10.54

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 9.10.29inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

एकपत्नीव्रतधरो राजर्षिचरित: शुचि: ।

स्वधर्मं गृहमेधीयं शिक्षयन् स्वयमाचरत् ॥ ५४ ॥

eka-patnī-vrata-dharo

rājarṣi-caritaḥ śuciḥ

sva-dharmaṁ gṛha-medhīyaṁ

śikṣayan svayam ācarat

Translation

Lord Rāmacandra took a vow to accept only one wife and have no connection with any other women. He was a saintly king, and everything in His character was good, untinged by qualities like anger. He taught good behavior for everyone, especially for householders, in terms of varṇāśrama-dharma. Thus He taught the general public by His personal activities.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Teach Good Conduct Through Personal Example

1
Lord Rāmacandra accepted only one wife, mother Sītā, and set a glorious example of faithfulness. Although He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, He rescued His wife rather than accepting another.
2
As a saintly king of pure character, He taught good behavior through His own activities. His example especially instructs householders.
3
Living with a wife and children is not condemned when one follows the principles of varṇāśrama-dharma. Householders, brahmacārīs and vānaprasthas who follow these principles are equally important.

Key points from the purport

But Lord Rāmacandra, as an ideal king, accepted only one wife, mother Sītā.
The Lord punished Rāvaṇa and rescued His wife to instruct men to have only one wife.
Lord Rāmacandra accepted only one wife and manifested sublime character, thus setting an example for householders.

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

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

Chapter 10: The Pastimes of the Supreme Lord, Rāmacandra

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

After Lord Rāmacandra, accompanied by Lord Lakṣmaṇa and mother Sītādevī, met all His relatives, the great sage Vasiṣṭha enthroned Him as King. The chapter ends with a short description of Lord Rāmacandra’s rule in Ayodhyā.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in chapter 9.10

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

eka-patnī-vrata-dharaḥtaking a vow not to accept a second wife or to have any connection with any other woman
rāja-ṛṣilike a saintly king
caritaḥwhose character
śuciḥpure
sva-dharmamone’s own occupational duty
gṛha-medhīyamespecially of persons situated in household life
śikṣayanteaching (by personal behavior)
svayampersonally
ācaratexecuted His duty

Key ideas in this verse

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

Manvantara · The change of Manus
What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10
Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct
Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 9.10
In this verse: “varṇāśrama-dharma”, “principles”
Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership
Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 9.10
In this verse: “king”
Moha · Material attachment
The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 9.10
In this verse: “householders”

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does my behavior teach others about faithfulness and responsibility?

Practice

Fulfill one responsibility today with care, letting your conduct—not merely your words—set a good example.

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayTeach Good Conduct Through Personal ExampleThis 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 9.10.54? Get an answer from the verses themselves.

Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories