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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.
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Canto 9 · Chapter 21: The Dynasty of Bharata
9.21.99.21.11

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.21.10

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 9.21.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

पानीयमात्रमुच्छेषं तच्चैकपरितर्पणम् ।

पास्यत: पुल्कसोऽभ्यागादपो देह्यशुभाय मे ॥ १० ॥

pānīya-mātram uccheṣaṁ

tac caika-paritarpaṇam

pāsyataḥ pulkaso ’bhyāgād

apo dehy aśubhāya me

Translation

Thereafter, only the drinking water remained, and there was only enough to satisfy one person, but when the King was just about to drink it, a caṇḍāla appeared and said, “O King, although I am lowborn, kindly give me some drinking water.”

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.

A Request for the Last Water

  1. 1

    Only drinking water remained, and there was enough for just one person.

  2. 2

    As Rantideva was about to drink, a caṇḍāla appeared.

  3. 3

    The visitor described himself as lowborn and humbly asked the King for drinking water.

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 21: The Dynasty of Bharata

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Once, after Rantideva spent forty-eight days fasting, not even drinking water, excellent food made with ghee was brought to him, but when he was about to eat it a brāhmaṇa guest appeared. Rantideva, therefore, did not eat the food, but instead immediately offered a portion of it to the brāhmaṇa.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.21
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. pānīya-mātramonly the drinking water
  2. uccheṣamwhat remained of the food
  3. tat cathat also
  4. ekafor one
  5. paritarpaṇamsatisfying
  6. pāsyataḥwhen the King was about to drink
  7. pulkasaḥa caṇḍāla
  8. abhyāgātcame there
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

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 9.21

    In this verse: “kindly”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 9.21

    In this verse: “king”

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 do I respond when someone asks for help at an inconvenient moment?

Practice

Make drinking water available to someone today, especially if they are tired or thirsty.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayA Request for the Last WaterThis 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 9.21.10? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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