1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

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

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 9 · Liberation · 24 chapters

123456789101112131415161718192021222324

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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 ›
Canto 9 · Chapter 2: The Dynasties of the Sons of Manu
9.2.49.2.7

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Texts 9.2.5-6

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 9.2.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

एकां जग्राह बलवान् सा चुक्रोश भयातुरा ।

तस्यास्तु क्रन्दितं श्रुत्वा पृषध्रोऽनुससार ह ॥ ५ ॥

खड्‌गमादाय तरसा प्रलीनोडुगणे निशि ।

अजानन्नच्छिनोद् बभ्रो: शिर: शार्दूलशङ्कया ॥ ६ ॥

ekāṁ jagrāha balavān

sā cukrośa bhayāturā

tasyās tu kranditaṁ śrutvā

pṛṣadhro ’nusasāra ha

khaḍgam ādāya tarasā

pralīnoḍu-gaṇe niśi

ajānann acchinod babhroḥ

śiraḥ śārdūla-śaṅkayā

Translation

When the very strong tiger seized the cow, the cow screamed in distress and fear, and Pṛṣadhra, hearing the screaming, immediately followed the sound. He took up his sword, but because the stars were covered by clouds, he mistook the cow for the tiger and mistakenly cut off the cows’ head with great force.

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.

A Tragic Mistake in the Darkness

  1. 1

    A very strong tiger seized a cow, who screamed in distress and fear.

  2. 2

    Hearing her cries, Pṛṣadhra immediately followed the sound and took up his sword.

  3. 3

    Clouds covered the stars, and Pṛṣadhra mistook the cow for the tiger. He mistakenly cut off the cow’s head with great force.

How it feels

Change → Acceptance. The instability of worldly identities is a recurring premise.

Chapters 1–3 of Canto 9: Dynastic origins and domestic transformations. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 2: The Dynasties of the Sons of Manu

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Once, in the darkness of night, a tiger seized a cow from the cowshed, and when Pṛṣadhra came to know this, he took a sword in his hand and followed the tiger. Unfortunately, when he finally approached the tiger, he could not distinguish between the cow and the tiger in the dark, and thus he killed the cow.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.2
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. ekāmone of the cows
  2. jagrāhaseized
  3. balavānthe strong tiger
  4. sāthat cow
  5. cukrośabegan to cry
  6. bhaya-āturāin distress and fear
  7. tasyāḥof her
  8. tubut
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Īśānukathā · The science of God

    Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 of 10

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 9.2

    In this verse: “hearing”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 9.2

    In this verse: “distress”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 9.2

    In this verse: “fear”

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

When might you need to see more clearly before acting to help?

Practice

Before one hurried action today, pause to check that you understand the situation.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayA Tragic Mistake in the DarknessThis 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 9.2.5-6? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories