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

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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
9.11.39.11.5

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.11.4

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

इत्ययं तदलङ्कारवासोभ्यामवशेषित: ।

तथा राज्ञ्यपि वैदेही सौमङ्गल्यावशेषिता ॥ ४ ॥

ity ayaṁ tad-alaṅkāra-

vāsobhyām avaśeṣitaḥ

tathā rājñy api vaidehī

saumaṅgalyāvaśeṣitā

Translation

After thus giving everything in charity to the brāhmaṇas, Lord Rāmacandra retained only His personal garments and ornaments, and similarly the Queen, mother Sītā, was left with only her nose ring, and nothing else.

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.

Giving Without Holding Back Wealth

  1. 1

    Lord Rāmacandra gave everything in charity to the brāhmaṇas.

  2. 2

    He retained only His personal garments and ornaments.

  3. 3

    Mother Sītā, the Queen, was left with only her nose ring and nothing else.

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’s faith in the brāhmaṇas and affection for His servants was observed by all the brāhmaṇas, who then offered their prayers to the Lord and returned whatever they had taken from Him. They regarded the enlightenment given to them by the Lord within the core of their hearts as a sufficient contribution.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.11
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. itiin this way (after giving everything to the brāhmaṇas)
  2. ayamLord Rāmacandra
  3. tatHis
  4. alaṅkāra-vāsobhyāmwith personal ornaments and garments
  5. avaśeṣitaḥremained
  6. tathāas well as
  7. rājñīthe Queen (mother Sītā)
  8. apialso
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

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 9.11

    In this verse: “mother”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does this description challenge my attachment to keeping more than I need?

Practice

Choose one useful possession you can spare and give it in charity today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayGiving Without Holding Back WealthThis 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 9.11.4? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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