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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 16: Lord Paraśurāma Destroys the World’s Ruling Class
9.16.259.16.27

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.16.26

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 9.16.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

आस्तेऽद्यापि महेन्द्राद्रौ न्यस्तदण्ड: प्रशान्तधी: ।

उपगीयमानचरित: सिद्धगन्धर्वचारणै: ॥ २६ ॥

āste ’dyāpi mahendrādrau

nyasta-daṇḍaḥ praśānta-dhīḥ

upagīyamāna-caritaḥ

siddha-gandharva-cāraṇaiḥ

Translation

Lord Paraśurāma still lives as an intelligent brāhmaṇa in the mountainous country known as Mahendra. Completely satisfied, having given up all the weapons of a kṣatriya, he is always worshiped, adored and offered prayers for his exalted character and activities by such celestial beings as the Siddhas, Cāraṇas and Gandharvas.

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.

Paraśurāma Lives in Complete Satisfaction

  1. 1

    Lord Paraśurāma still lives as an intelligent brāhmaṇa in the mountainous country of Mahendra.

  2. 2

    He has given up all the weapons of a kṣatriya and is completely satisfied.

  3. 3

    The Siddhas, Cāraṇas and Gandharvas continually worship Him and offer prayers for His exalted character and activities.

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:

Paraśurāma, the son of Jamadagni, still lives in Mahendra-parvata. In the next manvantara, he will become a preacher of Vedic knowledge.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.16
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. āsteis still existing
  2. adya apieven now
  3. mahendra-adrauin the hilly country known as Mahendra
  4. nyasta-daṇḍaḥhaving given up the weapons of a kṣatriya (the bow, arrows and axe)
  5. praśāntanow fully satisfied as a brāhmaṇa
  6. dhīḥin such intelligence
  7. upagīyamāna-caritaḥbeing worshiped and adored for his exalted character and activities
  8. siddha-gandharva-cāraṇaiḥby such celestial persons as the inhabitants of Gandharvaloka, Siddhaloka and Cāraṇaloka
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 9.16

    In this verse: “worshiped”, “worship”

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

Which aspect of Lord Paraśurāma’s character described here draws my appreciation?

Practice

Offer one short prayer appreciating Lord Paraśurāma’s exalted character.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayParaśurāma Lives in Complete SatisfactionThis 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.

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