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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
9.20.279.20.29

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.20.28

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 9.20.23inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

मृगाञ्छुक्लदत: कृष्णान् हिरण्येन परीवृतान् ।

अदात् कर्मणि मष्णारे नियुतानि चतुर्दश ॥ २८ ॥

mṛgāñ chukla-dataḥ kṛṣṇān

hiraṇyena parīvṛtān

adāt karmaṇi maṣṇāre

niyutāni caturdaśa

Translation

When Mahārāja Bharata performed the sacrifice known as Maṣṇāra [or a sacrifice in the place known as Maṣṇāra], he gave in charity fourteen lakhs of excellent elephants with white tusks and black bodies, completely covered with golden ornaments.

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.

Bharata’s Extraordinary Charity

  1. 1

    Mahārāja Bharata gave charity during a sacrifice known as Maṣṇāra, or performed at a place with that name.

  2. 2

    He gave fourteen lakhs—1,400,000—of excellent elephants.

  3. 3

    The elephants had white tusks and black bodies and were completely covered with golden ornaments. These details show the extraordinary scale and quality of his gifts.

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:

He performed many great sacrifices, in which he gave great riches in charity to the brāhmaṇas. This chapter ends by describing the birth of Bharadvāja and how Mahārāja Bharata accepted Bharadvāja as his son.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.20
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. mṛgānfirst-class elephants
  2. śukla-dataḥwith very white tusks
  3. kṛṣṇānwith black bodies
  4. hiraṇyenawith gold ornaments
  5. parīvṛtāncompletely covered
  6. adātgive in charity
  7. karmaṇiin the sacrifice
  8. maṣṇāreby the name Maṣṇāra, or in the place known as Maṣṇāra
  9. niyutānilakhs (one lakh equals one hundred thousand)
  10. caturdaśafourteen
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

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 does Bharata’s giving prompt you to consider about your own generosity?

Practice

Give one useful item of good quality in charity today, according to your means.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 9.20's connections

Live this todayBharata’s Extraordinary CharityThis 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 9.20.28? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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