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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
9.16.319.16.33

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.16.32

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 9.16.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

यो रातो देवयजने देवैर्गाधिषु तापस: ।

देवरात इति ख्यात: शुन:शेफस्तु भार्गव: ॥ ३२ ॥

yo rāto deva-yajane

devair gādhiṣu tāpasaḥ

deva-rāta iti khyātaḥ

śunaḥśephas tu bhārgavaḥ

Translation

Although Śunaḥśepha was born in the Bhārgava dynasty, he was greatly advanced in spiritual life, and therefore the demigods involved in the sacrifice protected him. Consequently he was also celebrated as the descendant of Gādhi named Devarāta.

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.

Spiritual Advancement and Divine Protection

  1. 1

    Śunaḥśepha was born in the Bhārgava dynasty and was greatly advanced in spiritual life.

  2. 2

    Because of his spiritual advancement, the demigods involved in the sacrifice protected him.

  3. 3

    He consequently became celebrated as Devarāta, a descendant of Gādhi.

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:

Viśvāmitra’s fifty-first son, along with his younger brothers, then accepted Śunaḥśepha as their eldest brother, and their father, Viśvāmitra, being satisfied, blessed them. Thus Devarāta was accepted in the dynasty of Kauśika, and consequently there are different divisions of that dynasty.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.16
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yaḥhe who (Śunaḥśepha)
  2. rātaḥwas protected
  3. deva-yajanein the arena for worshiping the demigods
  4. devaiḥby the same demigods
  5. gādhiṣuin the dynasty of Gādhi
  6. tāpasaḥadvanced in executing spiritual life
  7. deva-rātaḥprotected by the demigods
  8. itithus
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 9.16

    In this verse: “protected”

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

How much importance do I give to advancement in spiritual life?

Practice

Reserve a few undistracted minutes today for your spiritual practice.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySpiritual Advancement and Divine ProtectionThis 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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