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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 18: King Yayāti Regains His Youth
9.18.29.18.4

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.18.3

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 9.18.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

पितरि भ्रंशिते स्थानादिन्द्राण्या धर्षणाद्द्विजै: ।

प्रापितेऽजगरत्वं वै ययातिरभवन्नृप: ॥ ३ ॥

pitari bhraṁśite sthānād

indrāṇyā dharṣaṇād dvijaiḥ

prāpite ’jagaratvaṁ vai

yayātir abhavan nṛpaḥ

Translation

Because Nahuṣa, the father of Yayāti, molested Indra’s wife, Śacī, who then complained to Agastya and other brāhmaṇas, these saintly brāhmaṇas cursed Nahuṣa to fall from the heavenly planets and be degraded to the status of a python. Consequently, Yayāti became the king.

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.

Nahuṣa Falls, and Yayāti Becomes King

  1. 1

    Nahuṣa molested Śacī, the wife of Indra, and she complained to Agastya and other brāhmaṇas.

  2. 2

    These saintly brāhmaṇas cursed Nahuṣa to fall from the heavenly planets and become a python.

  3. 3

    Following his father's fall, Yayāti became king.

How it feels

Insatiable desire → Renunciation. Exhausted enjoyment generates insight.

Chapters 18–19 of Canto 9: Yayāti's craving and liberation. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 18: King Yayāti Regains His Youth

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

When Nahuṣa, who had six sons, was cursed to become a python, his eldest son, Yati, took sannyāsa, and therefore the next son, Yayāti, was enthroned as king. By providence, Yayāti married the daughter of Śukrācārya.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.18
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. pitariwhen his father
  2. bhraṁśitewas caused to fall down
  3. sthānātfrom the heavenly planets
  4. indrāṇyāḥof Śacī, the wife of Indra
  5. dharṣaṇātfrom offending
  6. dvijaiḥby them (upon her lodging a complaint with the brāhmaṇas)
  7. prāpitebeing degraded to
  8. ajagaratvamthe life of a snake
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

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 9.18

    In this verse: “father”, “father's”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 9.18

    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

What does Nahuṣa's fall remind you about the consequences of mistreating others?

Practice

In one interaction today, take particular care to respect the other person's boundaries.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayNahuṣa Falls, and Yayāti Becomes KingThis 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 9.18.3? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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