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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
9.20.24-269.20.28

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.20.27

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

त्रयस्त्रिंशच्छतं ह्यश्वान्बद्ध्वा विस्मापयन् नृपान् ।

दौष्मन्तिरत्यगान्मायां देवानां गुरुमाययौ ॥ २७ ॥

trayas-triṁśac-chataṁ hy aśvān

baddhvā vismāpayan nṛpān

dauṣmantir atyagān māyāṁ

devānāṁ gurum āyayau

Translation

Bharata, the son of Mahārāja Duṣmanta, bound thirty-three hundred horses for those sacrifices, and thus he astonished all other kings. He surpassed even the opulence of the demigods, for he achieved the supreme spiritual master, Hari.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Lord’s Lotus Feet Surpass All Wealth

  1. 1

    Bharata bound thirty-three hundred horses for sacrifice, astonishing all other kings.

  2. 2

    He surpassed even the opulence of the demigods because he achieved Hari, the supreme spiritual master.

  3. 3

    Attaining the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead surpasses all material wealth. The purport calls this the most exalted achievement in life.

Key points from the purport
  • One who achieves the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead certainly surpasses all material wealth, even that of the demigods in the heavenly planets.
  • The achievement of the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the most exalted achievement in life.

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

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. trayaḥthree
  2. triṁśatthirty
  3. śatamhundred
  4. hiindeed
  5. aśvānhorses
  6. baddhvāarresting in the yajña
  7. vismāpayanastonishing
  8. nṛpānall other kings
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 9.20

    In this verse: “wealth”, “material”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 9.20

    In this verse: “kings”

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

What changes when you measure success by attaining the Lord rather than by gaining wealth?

Practice

Take one quiet minute today to pray for service at the Supreme Lord’s lotus feet rather than for material gain.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord’s Lotus Feet Surpass All WealthThis 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 9.20.27? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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