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Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

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Canto 9 · Liberation · 24 chapters

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How to study this verse, in six steps

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
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

9.18.41 9.18.43

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.18.42

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:Yadusince 9.18.40inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

अपृच्छत् तनयं पूरुं वयसोनं गुणाधिकम् ।

न त्वमग्रजवद् वत्स मां प्रत्याख्यातुमर्हसि ॥ ४२ ॥

apṛcchat tanayaṁ pūruṁ

vayasonaṁ guṇādhikam

na tvam agrajavad vatsa

māṁ pratyākhyātum arhasi

Translation

King Yayāti then requested Pūru, who was younger than these three brothers but more qualified, “My dear son, do not be disobedient like your elder brothers, for that is not your duty.”

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Good Qualities Matter More Than Age

1
Yayāti next approached his son Pūru.
2
Although Pūru was younger than the three brothers, he was more qualified.
3
Yayāti asked him not to be disobedient like his elder brothers, saying that such refusal was not his duty.

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

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 summary Back to this verse in chapter 9.18

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

apṛcchatrequested
tanayamthe son
pūrumPūru
vayasāby age
ūnamalthough younger
guṇa-adhikambetter than the others by quality
nanot
tvamyou

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
Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct
Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 9.18
In this verse: “duty”
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.

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can I show good qualities through the way I fulfill my responsibilities?

Practice

Carry out one responsibility carefully today, even if others around you neglect theirs.

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayGood Qualities Matter More Than AgeThis 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 9.18.42? Get an answer from the verses themselves.

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