1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

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

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 9 · Liberation · 24 chapters

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.15.37

Who is speaking and story frame

स्वकर्म तत्कृतं राम: पित्रे भ्रातृभ्य एव च ।

वर्णयामास तच्छ्रुत्वा जमदग्निरभाषत ॥ ३७ ॥

sva-karma tat kṛtaṁ rāmaḥ

pitre bhrātṛbhya eva ca

varṇayām āsa tac chrutvā

jamadagnir abhāṣata

Translation

Paraśurāma described to his father and brothers his activities in killing Kārtavīryārjuna. Upon hearing of these deeds, Jamadagni spoke to his son as follows.

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.

Sharing Our Actions and Hearing Guidance

  1. 1

    Paraśurāma described his activities in killing Kārtavīryārjuna to his father and brothers.

  2. 2

    Jamadagni heard what his son had done before speaking to him.

  3. 3

    The account of Paraśurāma’s deeds became an occasion for his father to offer guidance.

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:

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 summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.15
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. sva-karmahis own activities
  2. tatall those deeds
  3. kṛtamwhich had been performed
  4. rāmaḥParaśurāma
  5. pitreunto his father
  6. bhrātṛbhyaḥunto his brothers
  7. eva caas well as
  8. varṇayām āsadescribed
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

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 9.15

    In this verse: “hearing”, “heard”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 9.15

    In this verse: “father”

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

Am I willing to hear guidance after sharing what I have done?

Practice

Describe one action from today honestly to someone you trust, and listen to their response.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySharing Our Actions and Hearing GuidanceThis 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 9.15.37? Get an answer from the verses themselves.