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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
9.20.379.20.39

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.20.38

Visarga· Brahmā's creation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 9.20.23inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

मूढे भर द्वाजमिमं भर द्वाजं बृहस्पते ।

यातौ यदुक्त्वा पितरौ भरद्वाजस्ततस्त्वयम् ॥ ३८ ॥

mūḍhe bhara dvājam imaṁ

bhara dvājaṁ bṛhaspate

yātau yad uktvā pitarau

bharadvājas tatas tv ayam

Translation

Bṛhaspati said to Mamatā, “You foolish woman, although this child was born from the wife of one man through the semen discharged by another, you should maintain him.” Upon hearing this, Mamatā replied, “O Bṛhaspati, you maintain him!” After speaking in this way, Bṛhaspati and Mamatā both left. Thus the child was known as Bharadvāja.

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.

Responsibility Passed Back and Forth

  1. 1

    Bṛhaspati told Mamatā that she should maintain the child.

  2. 2

    Mamatā replied that Bṛhaspati should maintain him. Each directed the responsibility toward the other.

  3. 3

    After this exchange, both Bṛhaspati and Mamatā left. The translation connects their words with the child’s name, Bharadvāja.

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:

Therefore, when Śakuntalā approached him with her newly born child, Mahārāja Duṣmanta refused to accept them as his wife and son. Later, however, after a mysterious omen, the King accepted them.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.20
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. mūḍheO foolish woman
  2. bharajust maintain
  3. dvājamalthough born by an illicit connection between two
  4. imamthis child
  5. bharamaintain
  6. dvājamalthough born by an illicit connection between two
  7. bṛhaspateO Bṛhaspati
  8. yātauleft
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Visarga · Subcreation

    How do living beings and their worlds appear? · Subject 2 of 10

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 9.20

    In this verse: “hearing”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 9.20

    In this verse: “child”

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

Am I passing a responsibility to someone else while leaving a real need unmet?

Practice

Choose one small duty you have been passing back to someone else, and take a concrete step to fulfill it today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayResponsibility Passed Back and ForthThis 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 9.20.38? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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