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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.

Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›

Canto 9 · Chapter 20: The Dynasty of Pūru

9.20.17 9.20.19

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.20.18

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:King Duṣmantasince 9.20.15inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

कण्व: कुमारस्य वने चक्रे समुचिता: क्रिया: ।

बद्ध्वा मृगेन्द्रंतरसा क्रीडति स्म स बालक: ॥ १८ ॥

kaṇvaḥ kumārasya vane

cakre samucitāḥ kriyāḥ

baddhvā mṛgendraṁ tarasā

krīḍati sma sa bālakaḥ

Translation

In the forest, Kaṇva Muni performed all the ritualistic ceremonies concerning the newborn child. Later, the boy became so powerful that he would capture a lion and play with it.

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.

Sacred Ceremonies and Extraordinary Childhood Strength

1
Kaṇva Muni performed all the ritualistic ceremonies concerning the newborn child.
2
These ceremonies took place in the forest.
3
Later, the boy displayed extraordinary strength: he would capture a lion and play with it.

How it feels

Historical movement → Anticipation. The narrative narrows toward its divine center.

Chapters 20–24 of Canto 9: Lineages leading to the appearance of Kṛṣṇa. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Chapter 20: The Dynasty of Pūru

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

While hunting in the forest, Duṣmanta once approached the āśrama of Mahāṛṣi Kaṇva, where he saw an extremely beautiful woman and became attracted to her. That woman was the daughter of Viśvāmitra, and her name was Śakuntalā.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in chapter 9.20

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

kaṇvaḥKaṇva Muni
kumārasyaof the son born of Śakuntalā
vanein the forest
cakreexecuted
samucitāḥprescribed
kriyāḥritualistic ceremonies
baddhvācapturing
mṛga-indrama lion

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
Vātsalya · Parental affection
Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 9.20
In this verse: “child”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What two aspects of the child's early life stand out in this verse?

Practice

Write one sentence recalling Kaṇva Muni's care and the boy's unusual strength.

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySacred Ceremonies and Extraordinary Childhood StrengthThis 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 9.20.18? Get an answer from the verses themselves.

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