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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
9.18.459.18.47

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.18.46

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 9.18.45inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

सप्तद्वीपपति: सम्यक् पितृवत् पालयन् प्रजा: ।

यथोपजोषं विषयाञ्जुजुषेऽव्याहतेन्द्रिय: ॥ ४६ ॥

sapta-dvīpa-patiḥ saṁyak

pitṛvat pālayan prajāḥ

yathopajoṣaṁ viṣayāñ

jujuṣe ’vyāhatendriyaḥ

Translation

Thereafter, King Yayāti became the ruler of the entire world, consisting of seven islands, and ruled the citizens exactly like a father. Because he had taken the youth of his son, his senses were unimpaired, and he enjoyed as much material happiness as he desired.

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.

Ruling With a Father's Care

  1. 1

    King Yayāti ruled the entire world, consisting of seven islands.

  2. 2

    He cared for his citizens exactly like a father.

  3. 3

    Having taken his son's youth, his senses were unimpaired, and he enjoyed as much material happiness as he desired.

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:

Śukrācārya again became angry and cursed Mahārāja Yayāti to become old, but when Yayāti begged Śukrācārya to be merciful to him, Śukrācārya gave him the benediction that he could transfer his old age and invalidity to some young man. Yayāti exchanged his old age for the youth of his youngest son, Pūru, and thus he was able to enjoy with young girls.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.18
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. sapta-dvīpa-patiḥthe master of the entire world, consisting of seven islands
  2. saṁyakcompletely
  3. pitṛ-vatexactly like a father
  4. pālayanruling
  5. prajāḥthe subjects
  6. yathā-upajoṣamas much as he wanted
  7. viṣayānmaterial happiness
  8. jujuṣeenjoyed
  9. avyāhatawithout being disturbed
  10. indriyaḥhis senses
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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 9.18

    In this verse: “king”, “ruler”, “citizens”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 9.18

    In this verse: “material”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

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

    In this verse: “father”

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 give care to those entrusted to me while attending to my own comfort?

Practice

Attend to one need of someone in your care today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRuling With a Father's CareThis 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 9.18.46? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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