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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
9.11.49.11.6

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.11.5

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

ते तु ब्राह्मणदेवस्य वात्सल्यं वीक्ष्य संस्तुतम् ।

प्रीता: क्लिन्नधियस्तस्मै प्रत्यर्प्येदं बभाषिरे ॥ ५ ॥

te tu brāhmaṇa-devasya

vātsalyaṁ vīkṣya saṁstutam

prītāḥ klinna-dhiyas tasmai

pratyarpyedaṁ babhāṣire

Translation

All the brāhmaṇas who were engaged in the various activities of the sacrifice were very pleased with Lord Rāmacandra, who was greatly affectionate and favorable to the brāhmaṇas. Thus with melted hearts they returned all the property received from Him and spoke as follows.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Accept What Is Needed, Without Greed

  1. 1

    The brāhmaṇas’ hearts melted at Lord Rāmacandra’s affection. They accepted His gift but then returned the property, knowing that ruling citizens was a kṣatriya’s duty.

  2. 2

    Peacefulness, self-control, austerity, purity, tolerance, honesty, wisdom, knowledge and religiousness are brahminical qualities. Possessing property for profit is not the purpose of a brāhmaṇa’s life.

  3. 3

    Lord Rāmacandra, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, showed exemplary charity as a ruler. A ruler should give charity in suitable cases, while a brāhmaṇa should accept no more than needed to maintain body and soul.

Key points from the purport
  • Therefore, when Lord Rāmacandra gave everything in charity to the brāhmaṇas, the brāhmaṇas, being qualified, wisely considered that brāhmaṇas are not meant to possess property to make a profit from it.
  • Therefore, although the brāhmaṇas did not refuse Lord Rāmacandra’s gift, after accepting it they returned it to the King.
  • Therefore, when the brāhmaṇas were given so much land by Lord Rāmacandra, they returned it to Him and were not greedy.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 1

The purport of SB 9.11.5 quotesBG 18.42

The qualifications of a brāhmaṇa are given in Bhagavad-gītā (18.42): “Peacefulness, self-control, austerity, purity, tolerance, honesty, wisdom, knowledge, and religiousness — these are the qualities by which the brāhmaṇas work.”

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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. tethe hotā, brahmā and other priests
  2. tubut
  3. brāhmaṇa-devasyaof Lord Rāmacandra, who loved the brāhmaṇas so much
  4. vātsalyamthe paternal affection
  5. vīkṣyaafter seeing
  6. saṁstutamworshiped with prayers
  7. prītāḥbeing very pleased
  8. klinna-dhiyaḥwith melted hearts
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

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 9.11

    In this verse: “religiousness”, “duty”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 9.11

    In this verse: “ruler”, “citizens”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 9.11

    In this verse: “favorable”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Am I willing to accept only what I need, even when more is offered?

Practice

When accepting something today, take only the amount you need.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayAccept What Is Needed, Without GreedThis 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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