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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 15: Paraśurāma, the Lord’s Warrior Incarnation
9.15.239.15.25

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.15.24

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 9.15.17-19inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

तस्मै स नरदेवाय मुनिरर्हणमाहरत् ।

ससैन्यामात्यवाहाय हविष्मत्या तपोधन: ॥ २४ ॥

tasmai sa naradevāya

munir arhaṇam āharat

sasainyāmātya-vāhāya

haviṣmatyā tapo-dhanaḥ

Translation

The sage Jamadagni, who was engaged in great austerities in the forest, received the King very well, along with the King’s soldiers, ministers and carriers. He supplied all the necessities to worship these guests, for he possessed a kāmadhenu cow that was able to supply everything.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Hospitality Met With Envy

  1. 1

    Jamadagni received the King and all his followers properly, feeding them sumptuously. His one kāmadhenu cow supplied everything needed.

  2. 2

    The purport explains that kāmadhenu cows are also called surabhi cows. Goloka Vṛndāvana, where Kṛṣṇa lives, is full of these cows.

  3. 3

    The King became envious of Jamadagni’s opulence, beginning his offense. The lesson is that unusual wealth does not protect someone who becomes proud and acts whimsically from punishment by the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Key points from the purport
  • Although Jamadagni possessed only one kāmadhenu, he was able to get from it everything desirable.
  • Thus he was able to receive the King, along with the King’s great number of followers, ministers, soldiers, animals and palanquin carriers.
  • The King was astonished at how opulent Jamadagni was because of possessing only one cow, and therefore he became envious of the great sage.

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

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 15: Paraśurāma, the Lord’s Warrior Incarnation

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Satyavatī married Ṛcīka Muni after the muni contributed a substantial dowry, and from the womb of Satyavatī by Ṛcīka Muni, Jamadagni was born. The son of Jamadagni was Rāma, or Paraśurāma.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.15
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tasmaiunto him
  2. saḥhe (Jamadagni)
  3. naradevāyaunto King Kārtavīryārjuna
  4. muniḥthe great sage
  5. arhaṇamparaphernalia for worship
  6. āharatoffered
  7. sa-sainyawith his soldiers
  8. amātyahis ministers
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 9.15

    In this verse: “worship”

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 9.15

    In this verse: “proud”, “offense”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 9.15

    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

When someone shares generously with me, do I feel gratitude or envy of what they possess?

Practice

Thank someone for their hospitality or generosity without comparing their resources with yours.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHospitality Met With EnvyThis 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 9.15.24? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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