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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 17: The Dynasties of the Sons of Purūravā
9.17.129.17.14

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.17.13

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 9.17.1-3inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

देवैरभ्यर्थितो दैत्यान् हत्वेन्द्रायाददाद् दिवम् ।

इन्द्रस्तस्मै पुनर्दत्त्वा गृहीत्वा चरणौ रजे: ।

आत्मानमर्पयामास प्रह्रादाद्यरिशङ्कित: ॥ १३ ॥

devair abhyarthito daityān

hatvendrāyādadād divam

indras tasmai punar dattvā

gṛhītvā caraṇau rajeḥ

ātmānam arpayām āsa

prahrādādy-ari-śaṅkitaḥ

Translation

On the request of the demigods, Rajī killed the demons and thus returned the kingdom of heaven to Lord Indra. But Indra, fearing such demons as Prahlāda, returned the kingdom of heaven to Rajī and surrendered himself at Rajī’s lotus feet.

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.

Even Indra Sought Shelter

  1. 1

    At the request of the demigods, Rajī killed the demons and returned the kingdom of heaven to Lord Indra.

  2. 2

    Indra feared such demons as Prahlāda, even after receiving his kingdom back.

  3. 3

    Indra returned the kingdom to Rajī and surrendered himself at Rajī’s lotus feet.

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 17: The Dynasties of the Sons of Purūravā

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Rajī was personally very powerful and was given the kingdom of heaven by Lord Indra. Later, after Rajī’s death, when the sons of Rajī refused to return the kingdom to Indra, by Bṛhaspati’s arrangement they became unintelligent, and Lord Indra conquered them.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.17
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. devaiḥby the demigods
  2. abhyarthitaḥbeing requested
  3. daityānthe demons
  4. hatvākilling
  5. indrāyato Indra, the King of heaven
  6. adadātdelivered
  7. divamthe kingdom of heaven
  8. indraḥthe King of heaven
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

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 9.17

    In this verse: “fearing”, “feared”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 9.17

    In this verse: “kingdom”

  • Śaraṇāgati · Wholehearted surrender

    Relinquishing ownership while entrusting oneself to the Lord. · Theme in SB 9.17

    In this verse: “surrendered”

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

What does Indra’s fear show you about the limits of holding a powerful position?

Practice

Today, acknowledge one situation in which you need help rather than relying on your position or ability.

5

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 9.17's connections

Live this todayEven Indra Sought ShelterThis 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 9.17.13? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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