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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 13: The Dynasty of Mahārāja Nimi
9.13.39.13.5

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.13.4

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 9.13.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

शिष्यव्यतिक्रमं वीक्ष्य तं निर्वर्त्यागतो गुरु: ।

अशपत् पतताद् देहो निमे: पण्डितमानिन: ॥ ४ ॥

śiṣya-vyatikramaṁ vīkṣya

taṁ nirvartyāgato guruḥ

aśapat patatād deho

nimeḥ paṇḍita-māninaḥ

Translation

After completing the sacrificial performance for King Indra, the spiritual master Vasiṣṭha returned and found that his disciple Mahārāja Nimi had disobeyed his instructions. Thus Vasiṣṭha cursed him, saying, “May the material body of Nimi, who considers himself learned, immediately fall.”

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.

Disregarding Instructions Has Serious Consequences

  1. 1

    After completing King Indra’s sacrifice, Vasiṣṭha returned to Mahārāja Nimi.

  2. 2

    He found that his disciple had disobeyed his instructions.

  3. 3

    Vasiṣṭha cursed Nimi’s material body to fall immediately, describing him as one who considered himself learned.

How it feels

Longing and conflict → Detachment and justice. Dynastic episodes explore personal desire and force.

Chapters 13–17 of Canto 9: Nimi, Purūravā and Paraśurāma. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 13: The Dynasty of Mahārāja Nimi

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Vasiṣṭha was very angry at King Nimi and cursed him, saying, “May your body fall down.” Cursed in that way, Mahārāja Nimi also became very angry and retaliated by saying, “May your body also fall down.”
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.13
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śiṣya-vyatikramamthe disciple’s deviation from the order of the guru
  2. vīkṣyaobserving
  3. tamthe performance of yajña by Indra
  4. nirvartyaafter finishing
  5. āgataḥwhen he returned
  6. guruḥVasiṣṭha Muni
  7. aśapathe cursed Nimi Mahārāja
  8. patatātmay it fall down
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 9.13

    In this verse: “material”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 9.13

    In this verse: “king”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Does confidence in my own understanding make me dismiss instructions too quickly?

Practice

Review one instruction you have received and check whether you have understood it before acting.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDisregarding Instructions Has Serious ConsequencesThis 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 9.13.4? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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