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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
  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 20: The Dynasty of Pūru
9.20.229.20.24-26

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.20.23

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 9.20.23inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

पितर्युपरते सोऽपि चक्रवर्ती

महायशा: ।

महिमा

गीयते तस्य हरेरंशभुवो भुवि ॥ २३ ॥

pitary uparate so ’pi

cakravartī mahā-yaśāḥ

mahimā gīyate tasya

harer aṁśa-bhuvo bhuvi

Translation

Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: When Mahārāja Duṣmanta passed away from this earth, his son became the emperor of the world, the proprietor of the seven islands. He is referred to as a partial representation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead in this world.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Extraordinary Power Reflects the Supreme Lord’s Opulence

  1. 1

    After Mahārāja Duṣmanta passed away, his son became emperor of the world and proprietor of the seven islands.

  2. 2

    Anyone extraordinarily powerful should be considered a partial representation of the opulence of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

  3. 3

    The emperor was celebrated in this way because of his extraordinary power. His greatness represented a portion of the Supreme Lord’s opulence.

Key points from the purport
  • Anyone extraordinarily powerful must be considered a partial representation of the opulence of the Supreme Godhead.
  • Therefore when the son of Mahārāja Duṣmanta became the emperor of the entire world, he was celebrated in this way.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 1

The purport of SB 9.20.23 quotesBG 10.41

In Bhagavad-gītā (10.41) it is said: Anyone extraordinarily powerful must be considered a partial representation of the opulence of the Supreme Godhead.

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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

Further reading

Chapter 20: The Dynasty of Pūru

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

When Śakuntalā accepted Mahārāja Duṣmanta as her husband, he married her according to the gāndharva-vidhi. Śakuntalā later became pregnant by her husband, who left her in the āśrama of Kaṇva Muni and returned to his kingdom.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.20
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. pitariafter his father
  2. uparatepassed away
  3. saḥthe King’s son
  4. apialso
  5. cakravartīthe emperor
  6. mahā-yaśāḥvery famous
  7. mahimāglories
  8. gīyateare glorified
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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 9.20

    In this verse: “emperor”

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

How can extraordinary greatness remind you of the Supreme Lord’s opulence?

Practice

Today, when you notice extraordinary power or ability, pause to remember the Supreme Lord as its source.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayExtraordinary Power Reflects the Supreme Lord’s OpulenceThis 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 9.20.23? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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