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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

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

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How to study this verse, in six steps

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
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

9.15.30 9.15.32

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.15.31

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

यतो यतोऽसौ प्रहरत्परश्वधो

मनोऽनिलौजा: परचक्रसूदन: ।

ततस्ततश्छिन्नभुजोरुकन्धरा

निपेतुरुर्व्यां हतसूतवाहना: ॥ ३१ ॥

yato yato ’sau praharat-paraśvadho

mano-’nilaujāḥ para-cakra-sūdanaḥ

tatas tataś chinna-bhujoru-kandharā

nipetur urvyāṁ hata-sūta-vāhanāḥ

Translation

Lord Paraśurāma, being expert in killing the military strength of the enemy, worked with the speed of the mind and the wind, slicing his enemies with his chopper [paraśu]. Wherever he went, the enemies fell, their legs, arms and shoulders being severed, their chariot drivers killed, and their carriers, the elephants and horses, all annihilated.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Lord’s Extraordinary Speed

1
Lord Paraśurāma was expert in destroying the enemy’s military strength with his chopper.
2
The purport explains that he first entered the army at the speed of mind. When somewhat tired, he slowed to the speed of wind and continued vigorously.
3
The speed of mind is greater than the speed of wind. Wherever the Lord went, the opposing soldiers, chariot drivers, elephants and horses fell.

Key points from the purport

In the beginning, when the army of the enemy was full of fighting soldiers, elephants and horses, Lord Paraśurāma proceeded into their midst at the speed of mind to kill them.
When somewhat tired, he slowed down to the speed of wind and continued to kill the enemies vigorously.
The speed of mind is greater than the speed of the wind.

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

Chapter 15: Paraśurāma, the Lord’s Warrior Incarnation

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

After Paraśurāma killed Kārtavīryārjuna, Jamadagni told him that killing a king is sinful and that as a brāhmaṇa he should have tolerated the offense. Therefore Jamadagni advised Paraśurāma to atone for his sin by traveling to various holy places.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in chapter 9.15