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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 16: Lord Paraśurāma Destroys the World’s Ruling Class
9.16.119.16.13

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.16.12

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 9.16.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

याच्यमाना: कृपणया राममात्रातिदारुणा: ।

प्रसह्य शिर उत्कृत्य निन्युस्ते क्षत्रबन्धव: ॥ १२ ॥

yācyamānāḥ kṛpaṇayā

rāma-mātrātidāruṇāḥ

prasahya śira utkṛtya

ninyus te kṣatra-bandhavaḥ

Translation

With pitiable prayers, Reṇukā, the mother of Paraśurāma and wife of Jamadagni, begged for the life of her husband. But the sons of Kārtavīryārjuna, being devoid of the qualities of kṣatriyas, were so cruel that despite her prayers they forcibly cut off his head and took it away.

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.

Cruelty Reveals the Absence of Noble Qualities

  1. 1

    Reṇukā, the mother of Paraśurāma and wife of Jamadagni, begged for her husband’s life with pitiable prayers.

  2. 2

    The sons of Kārtavīryārjuna were devoid of the qualities of kṣatriyas. Their cruelty showed this lack of character.

  3. 3

    Despite Reṇukā’s prayers, they forcibly cut off Jamadagni’s head and took it away.

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 16: Lord Paraśurāma Destroys the World’s Ruling Class

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

When Jamadagni’s wife, Reṇukā, went to bring water from the Ganges and saw the King of the Gandharvas enjoying the company of Apsarās, she was captivated, and she slightly desired to associate with him. Because of this sinful desire, she was punished by her husband.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.16
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yācyamānāḥbeing begged for the life of her husband
  2. kṛpaṇayāby the poor unprotected woman
  3. rāma-mātrāby the mother of Lord Paraśurāma
  4. ati-dāruṇāḥvery cruel
  5. prasahyaby force
  6. śiraḥthe head of Jamadagni
  7. utkṛtyahaving separated
  8. ninyuḥtook away
  9. tethe sons of Kārtavīryārjuna
  10. kṣatra-bandhavaḥnot kṣatriyas, but the most abominable sons of kṣatriyas.
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

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 9.16

    In this verse: “mother”

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

Do my actions show compassion when someone asks for help?

Practice

Listen carefully to one person’s request for help today and respond kindly.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayCruelty Reveals the Absence of Noble QualitiesThis 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 9.16.12? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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