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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
9.20.289.20.30

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.20.29

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

भरतस्य महत् कर्म न पूर्वे नापरे नृपा: ।

नैवापुर्नैव प्राप्स्यन्ति बाहुभ्यां त्रिदिवं यथा ॥ २९ ॥

bharatasya mahat karma

na pūrve nāpare nṛpāḥ

naivāpur naiva prāpsyanti

bāhubhyāṁ tridivaṁ yathā

Translation

As one cannot approach the heavenly planets simply by the strength of his arms (for who can touch the heavenly planets with his hands?), one cannot imitate the wonderful activities of Mahārāja Bharata. No one could perform such activities in the past, nor will anyone be able to do so in the future.

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.

Admire Greatness Without Trying to Imitate It

  1. 1

    Mahārāja Bharata’s wonderful activities could not be imitated.

  2. 2

    The verse compares such imitation to trying to reach the heavenly planets by the strength of one’s arms.

  3. 3

    No one had performed such activities in the past, nor would anyone be able to do so in the future. The verse emphasizes the incomparable nature of his achievements.

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:

After Mahārāja Duṣmanta’s death, Bharata, the son of Śakuntalā, was enthroned. He performed many great sacrifices, in which he gave great riches in charity to the brāhmaṇas.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.20
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. bharatasyaof Mahārāja Bharata, the son of Mahārāja Duṣmanta
  2. mahatvery great, exalted
  3. karmaactivities
  4. naneither
  5. pūrvepreviously
  6. nanor
  7. apareafter his time
  8. nṛpāḥkings as a class
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

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

Can you appreciate extraordinary achievement without feeling that you must imitate it?

Practice

When you admire someone’s achievement today, acknowledge it without making it a standard you must equal.

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 todayAdmire Greatness Without Trying to Imitate ItThis 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 9.20.29? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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