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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 11: Lord Rāmacandra Rules the World
9.11.29.11.4

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.11.3

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 9.11.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

आचार्याय ददौ शेषां यावती भूस्तदन्तरा ।

मन्यमान इदं कृत्‍स्‍नं ब्राह्मणोऽर्हति नि:स्पृह: ॥ ३ ॥

ācāryāya dadau śeṣāṁ

yāvatī bhūs tad-antarā

manyamāna idaṁ kṛtsnaṁ

brāhmaṇo ’rhati niḥspṛhaḥ

Translation

Thereafter, thinking that because the brāhmaṇas have no material desires they should possess the entire world, Lord Rāmacandra delivered the land between the east, west, north and south to the ācārya.

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.

Freedom From Material Desire Deserves Honor

  1. 1

    Lord Rāmacandra considered that the brāhmaṇas should possess the entire world because they had no material desires.

  2. 2

    He gave the land between the east, west, north and south to the ācārya.

  3. 3

    The Lord’s gift honored freedom from material desire, rather than eagerness to acquire possessions.

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 11: Lord Rāmacandra Rules the World

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Lord Rāmacandra, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, performed various sacrifices by which to worship Himself, and at the end of these sacrifices He gave land to the hotā, adhvaryu, udgātā and brahmā priests. He gave them the eastern, western, northern and southern directions respectively, and the balance He gave to the ācārya.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.11
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. ācāryāyaunto the ācārya, the spiritual master
  2. dadaugave
  3. śeṣāmthe balance
  4. yāvatīwhatever
  5. bhūḥland
  6. tat-antarāexisting between the east, west, north and south
  7. manyamānaḥthinking
  8. idamall this
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 9.11

    In this verse: “material”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Why is freedom from material desire important when someone is entrusted with possessions?

Practice

Before seeking one extra possession today, pause and examine whether you truly need it.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayFreedom From Material Desire Deserves HonorThis 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 9.11.3? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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