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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
9.17.69.17.8

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.17.7

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 9.17.1-3inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

षष्टिंवर्षसहस्राणि षष्टिंवर्षशतानि च ।

नालर्कादपरो राजन् बुभुजे मेदिनीं युवा ॥ ७ ॥

ṣaṣṭiṁ varṣa-sahasrāṇi

ṣaṣṭiṁ varṣa-śatāni ca

nālarkād aparo rājan

bubhuje medinīṁ yuvā

Translation

Alarka, the son of Dyumān, reigned over the earth for sixty-six thousand years, my dear King Parīkṣit. No one other than him has reigned over the earth for so long as a young man.

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.

Alarka’s Uniquely Long Youthful Reign

  1. 1

    Alarka was the son of Dyumān.

  2. 2

    Alarka reigned over the earth for sixty-six thousand years.

  3. 3

    The translation says that no one else reigned over the earth for so long as a young man.

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:

The son of Dyumān was Alarka, who reigned over the kingdom for many, many years. Following in the dynasty of Alarka were Santati, Sunītha, Niketana, Dharmaketu, Satyaketu, Dhṛṣṭaketu, Sukumāra, Vītihotra, Bharga and Bhārgabhūmi.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.17
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. ṣaṣṭimsixty
  2. varṣa-sahasrāṇisuch thousands of years
  3. ṣaṣṭimsixty
  4. varṣa-śatānihundreds of years
  5. caalso
  6. nanot
  7. alarkātexcept for Alarka
  8. aparaḥanyone else
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 9.17

    In this verse: “king”

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 detail makes Alarka’s reign especially striking to you?

Practice

Write one sentence summarizing both the length of Alarka’s reign and his youth.

Live this todayAlarka’s Uniquely Long Youthful ReignThis 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 9.17.7? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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