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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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.18.41

Who is speaking and story frame

तुर्वसुश्चोदित: पित्रा द्रुह्युश्चानुश्च भारत ।

प्रत्याचख्युरधर्मज्ञा ह्यनित्ये नित्यबुद्धय: ॥ ४१ ॥

turvasuś coditaḥ pitrā

druhyuś cānuś ca bhārata

pratyācakhyur adharmajñā

hy anitye nitya-buddhayaḥ

Translation

O Mahārāja Parīkṣit, Yayāti similarly requested his sons Turvasu, Druhyu and Anu to exchange their youth for his old age, but because they were unaware of religious principles, they thought that their flickering youth was eternal, and therefore they refused to carry out their father’s order.

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.

Youth Is Temporary, Not Eternal

  1. 1

    Yayāti also asked Turvasu, Druhyu and Anu to exchange their youth for his old age.

  2. 2

    They were unaware of religious principles and thought their flickering youth was eternal.

  3. 3

    Because of this understanding, they refused to carry out their father’s order.

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:

Therefore, at the proper time for conception, she also requested Mahārāja Yayāti for sex. When Śarmiṣṭhā became pregnant also, Devayānī was very envious.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.18
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. turvasuḥTurvasu, another son
  2. coditaḥrequested
  3. pitrāby the father (to exchange old age and invalidity for his youth)
  4. druhyuḥDruhyu, another son
  5. caand
  6. anuḥAnu, another son
  7. caalso
  8. bhārataO King Parīkṣit
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 9.18

    In this verse: “religious”, “principles”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

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

    In this verse: “father’s”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 9.18

    In this verse: “understanding”

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

Do I make choices as though my present youth or strength will last forever?

Practice

Use some of your present strength today to carry out one responsibility you have been postponing.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayYouth Is Temporary, Not EternalThis 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 9.18.41? Get an answer from the verses themselves.