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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
9.17.149.17.16

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.17.15

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

गुरुणा हूयमानेऽग्नौ बलभित् तनयान् रजे: ।

अवधीद् भ्रंशितान् मार्गान्न कश्चिदवशेषित: ॥ १५ ॥

guruṇā hūyamāne ’gnau

balabhit tanayān rajeḥ

avadhīd bhraṁśitān mārgān

na kaścid avaśeṣitaḥ

Translation

Thereafter, Bṛhaspati, the spiritual master of the demigods, offered oblations in the fire so that the sons of Rajī would fall from moral principles. When they fell, Lord Indra killed them easily because of their degradation. Not a single one of them remained alive.

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.

Moral Degradation Led to Defeat

  1. 1

    Bṛhaspati, the spiritual master of the demigods, offered oblations in the fire so that Rajī’s sons would fall from moral principles.

  2. 2

    When Rajī’s sons fell from those principles, their degradation made it easy for Lord Indra to kill them.

  3. 3

    Not a single one of Rajī’s sons remained alive.

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. guruṇāby the spiritual master (Bṛhaspati)
  2. hūyamāne agnauwhile oblations were being offered in the fire of sacrifice
  3. balabhitIndra
  4. tanayānthe sons
  5. rajeḥof Rajī
  6. avadhītkilled
  7. bhraṁśitānfallen
  8. mārgātfrom the moral principles
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 9.17

    In this verse: “principles”

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

Which moral principle do you need to guard carefully in your own conduct?

Practice

Choose one moral principle you already recognize, and consciously uphold it in one decision today.

Live this todayMoral Degradation Led to DefeatThis 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 9.17.15? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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