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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 17: The Dynasties of the Sons of Purūravā
9.17.139.17.15

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.17.14

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 9.17.1-3inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

पितर्युपरते पुत्रा याचमानाय नो ददु: ।

त्रिविष्टपं महेन्द्राय यज्ञभागान् समाददु: ॥ १४ ॥

pitary uparate putrā

yācamānāya no daduḥ

triviṣṭapaṁ mahendrāya

yajña-bhāgān samādaduḥ

Translation

Upon Rajī’s death, Indra begged Rajī’s sons for the return of the heavenly planet. They did not return it, however, although they agreed to return Indra’s shares in ritualistic ceremonies.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Rajī’s Sons Claimed Their Inheritance

  1. 1

    After Rajī’s death, Indra begged Rajī’s sons to return the heavenly kingdom, but they refused.

  2. 2

    They had inherited the kingdom from their father rather than taken it from Indra. Therefore, they considered it their paternal property.

  3. 3

    Although they kept the kingdom, they agreed to return Indra’s shares in ritualistic ceremonies.

Key points from the purport
  • Rajī conquered the kingdom of heaven, and therefore when Indra, the heavenly king, begged Rajī’s sons to return it, they refused.
  • Because they had not taken the heavenly kingdom from Indra but had inherited it from their father, they considered it their paternal property.
  • Why then should they return it to the demigods?

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 17: The Dynasties of the Sons of Purūravā

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

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. The grandson of Kṣatravṛddha named Kuśa gave birth to a son named Prati.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.17
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. pitariwhen their father
  2. uparatepassed away
  3. putrāḥthe sons
  4. yācamānāyaalthough requesting from them
  5. nonot
  6. daduḥreturned
  7. triviṣṭapamthe heavenly kingdom
  8. mahendrāyaunto Mahendra
  9. yajña-bhāgānthe shares of ritualistic ceremonies
  10. samādaduḥgave
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 9.17

    In this verse: “death”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 9.17

    In this verse: “kingdom”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 9.17

    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 does thinking of something as “my property” shape your response when someone asks for it?

Practice

Consider one possession you regard as yours, and briefly reflect on how you received it.

Live this todayRajī’s Sons Claimed Their InheritanceThis 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 9.17.14? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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