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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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Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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
9.16.39.16.5

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.16.4

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

कालात्ययं तं विलोक्य मुने: शापविशङ्किता ।

आगत्य कलशं तस्थौ पुरोधाय कृताञ्जलि: ॥ ४ ॥

kālātyayaṁ taṁ vilokya

muneḥ śāpa-viśaṅkitā

āgatya kalaśaṁ tasthau

purodhāya kṛtāñjaliḥ

Translation

Later, understanding that the time for offering the sacrifice had passed, Reṇukā feared a curse from her husband. Therefore when she returned she simply put the waterpot before him and stood there with folded hands.

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.

Returning With Fear and Folded Hands

  1. 1

    Reṇukā realized that the time for offering the sacrifice had passed.

  2. 2

    She feared that her husband would curse her.

  3. 3

    On returning, she placed the waterpot before him and stood with folded hands.

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. kāla-atyayampassing the time
  2. tamthat
  3. vilokyaobserving
  4. muneḥof the great sage Jamadagni
  5. śāpa-viśaṅkitābeing afraid of the curse
  6. āgatyareturning
  7. kalaśamthe waterpot
  8. tasthaustood
  9. purodhāyaputting in front of the sage
  10. kṛta-añjaliḥwith folded hands
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

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 9.16

    In this verse: “feared”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 9.16

    In this verse: “understanding”

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 do I respond when I realize that I have neglected a responsibility?

Practice

Quietly acknowledge one overlooked responsibility and take a small step to attend to it.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayReturning With Fear and Folded HandsThis 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 9.16.4? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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