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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
9.20.309.20.32

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.20.31

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 9.20.23inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

जित्वा पुरासुरा देवान् ये रसौकांसि भेजिरे ।

देवस्त्रियो रसां नीता: प्राणिभि: पुनराहरत् ॥ ३१ ॥

jitvā purāsurā devān

ye rasaukāṁsi bhejire

deva-striyo rasāṁ nītāḥ

prāṇibhiḥ punar āharat

Translation

Formerly, after conquering the demigods, all the demons had taken shelter in the lower planetary system known as Rasātala and had brought all the wives and daughters of the demigods there also. Mahārāja Bharata, however, rescued all those women, along with their associates, from the clutches of the demons, and he returned them to the demigods.

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 Rescues the Captive Women

  1. 1

    After conquering the demigods, the demons took shelter in the lower planetary system called Rasātala.

  2. 2

    They also brought the wives and daughters of the demigods there, along with their associates.

  3. 3

    Mahārāja Bharata rescued all those women and their associates from the demons. He returned them to the demigods.

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:

In due course of time, Śakuntalā gave birth to a Vaiṣṇava son, but Duṣmanta, having returned to the capital, forgot what had taken place. Therefore, when Śakuntalā approached him with her newly born child, Mahārāja Duṣmanta refused to accept them as his wife and 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. jitvāconquering
  2. purāformerly
  3. asurāḥthe demons
  4. devānthe demigods
  5. yeall who
  6. rasa-okāṁsiin the lower planetary system known as Rasātala
  7. bhejiretook shelter
  8. deva-striyaḥthe wives and daughters of the demigods
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 9.20

    In this verse: “rescued”

  • Śaraṇāgati · Wholehearted surrender

    Relinquishing ownership while entrusting oneself to the Lord. · Theme in SB 9.20

    In this verse: “shelter”

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 you use whatever strength or influence you have to help someone in difficulty?

Practice

Offer one concrete, safe form of help to someone facing difficulty today.

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 Rescues the Captive WomenThis 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 9.20.31? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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