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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
9.16.339.16.35

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.16.34

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

स होवाच मधुच्छन्दा: सार्धं पञ्चाशता तत: ।

यन्नो भवान् सञ्जानीते तस्मिंस्तिष्ठामहे वयम् ॥ ३४ ॥

sa hovāca madhucchandāḥ

sārdhaṁ pañcāśatā tataḥ

yan no bhavān sañjānīte

tasmiṁs tiṣṭhāmahe vayam

Translation

When the elder Madhucchandās were cursed, the younger fifty, along with Madhucchandā himself, approached their father and agreed to accept his proposal. “Dear father,” they said, “we shall abide by whatever arrangement you like.”

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.

Willingness to Accept Their Father’s Arrangement

  1. 1

    After the elder Madhucchandās were cursed, the younger fifty approached their father along with Madhucchandā himself.

  2. 2

    They agreed to accept their father’s proposal, rather than repeat the elder sons’ refusal.

  3. 3

    Their words expressed willingness to abide by whatever arrangement their father wished.

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. saḥthe middle son of Viśvāmitra
  2. haindeed
  3. uvācasaid
  4. madhucchandāḥMadhucchandā
  5. sārdhamwith
  6. pañcāśatāthe second fifty of the sons known as the Madhucchandās
  7. tataḥthen, after the first half were thus cursed
  8. yatwhat
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

  • 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

When a family arrangement differs from my preference, can I listen with willingness rather than immediately refuse?

Practice

In one family conversation today, listen fully to a proposed arrangement before expressing your preference.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayWillingness to Accept Their Father’s ArrangementThis 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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