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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
9.17.79.17.9

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.17.8

Visarga· Brahmā's creation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 9.17.1-3inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

अलर्कात्सन्ततिस्तस्मात् सुनीथोऽथ निकेतन: ।

धर्मकेतु: सुतस्तस्मात् सत्यकेतुरजायत ॥ ८ ॥

alarkāt santatis tasmāt

sunītho ’tha niketanaḥ

dharmaketuḥ sutas tasmāt

satyaketur ajāyata

Translation

From Alarka came a son named Santati, and his son was Sunītha. The son of Sunītha was Niketana, the son of Niketana was Dharmaketu, and the son of Dharmaketu was Satyaketu.

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.

Tracing the Line From Alarka

  1. 1

    Alarka’s son was Santati, and Santati’s son was Sunītha.

  2. 2

    Sunītha’s son was Niketana, whose son was Dharmaketu.

  3. 3

    Dharmaketu’s son was Satyaketu.

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:

Following in the dynasty of Alarka were Santati, Sunītha, Niketana, Dharmaketu, Satyaketu, Dhṛṣṭaketu, Sukumāra, Vītihotra, Bharga and Bhārgabhūmi. All of them belonged to the dynasty of Kāśi, the descendant of Kṣatravṛddha.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.17
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. alarkātfrom Alarka
  2. santatiḥa son known as Santati
  3. tasmātfrom him
  4. sunīthaḥSunītha
  5. athafrom him
  6. niketanaḥa son named Niketana
  7. dharmaketuḥDharmaketu
  8. sutaḥa son
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Visarga · Subcreation

    How do living beings and their worlds appear? · Subject 2 of 10

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 9.17

    In this verse: “dharmaketu”

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

Does tracing one generation at a time make this family line easier for you to remember?

Practice

Draw a simple chain of names from Alarka to Satyaketu.

Live this todayTracing the Line From AlarkaThis 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 9.17.8? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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