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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
9.16.329.16.34

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.16.33

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

ये मधुच्छन्दसो ज्येष्ठा: कुशलं मेनिरे न तत् ।

अशपत् तान्मुनि: क्रुद्धो म्‍लेच्छा भवत दुर्जना: ॥ ३३ ॥

ye madhucchandaso jyeṣṭhāḥ

kuśalaṁ menire na tat

aśapat tān muniḥ kruddho

mlecchā bhavata durjanāḥ

Translation

When requested by their father to accept Śunaḥśepha as the eldest son, the elder fifty of the Madhucchandās, the sons of Viśvāmitra, did not agree. Therefore Viśvāmitra, being angry, cursed them. “May all of you bad sons become mlecchas,” he said, “being opposed to the principles of Vedic culture.”

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Respect for Vedic Principles

  1. 1

    The elder fifty sons refused to accept Śunaḥśepha as their eldest brother. In anger, Viśvāmitra cursed them to become mlecchas.

  2. 2

    Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that mlecchas are those who do not follow Vedic principles. He describes this neglect as increasingly widespread in Kali-yuga.

  3. 3

    The purport states that by the end of Kali-yuga, no one will follow Vedic principles. At that time, the incarnation Kalki will appear and kill the mlecchas with his sword.

Key points from the purport
  • The mlecchas are understood to be those who do not follow the Vedic principles.
  • In former days, the mlecchas were fewer, and Viśvāmitra Muni cursed his sons to become mlecchas.
  • He will kill all the mlecchas indiscriminately with his sword.

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

Further reading

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

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

The fifty elder sons of Viśvāmitra, however, did not accept Śunaḥśepha as their elder brother, and therefore Viśvāmitra cursed them to become mlecchas, unfaithful to the Vedic civilization. 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.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.16
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yethose who
  2. madhucchandasaḥsons of Viśvāmitra, celebrated as the Madhucchandās
  3. jyeṣṭhāḥeldest
  4. kuśalamvery good
  5. menireaccepting
  6. nanot
  7. tatthat (the proposal that he be accepted as the eldest brother)
  8. aśapatcursed
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

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 9.16

    In this verse: “principles”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

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

    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

How seriously do I take the importance of following Vedic principles?

Practice

Today, reread the purport and take a moment to reflect on its warning about neglecting Vedic principles.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 9.16's connections

Live this todayRespect for Vedic PrinciplesThis 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 9.16.33? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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