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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
9.21.149.21.16

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.21.15

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

तस्य त्रिभुवनाधीशा: फलदा: फलमिच्छताम् ।

आत्मानं दर्शयां चक्रुर्माया विष्णुविनिर्मिता: ॥ १५ ॥

tasya tribhuvanādhīśāḥ

phaladāḥ phalam icchatām

ātmānaṁ darśayāṁ cakrur

māyā viṣṇu-vinirmitāḥ

Translation

Demigods like Lord Brahmā and Lord Śiva, who can satisfy all materially ambitious men by giving them the rewards they desire, then manifested their own identities before King Rantideva, for it was they who had presented themselves as the brāhmaṇa, śūdra, caṇḍāla and so on.

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.

The Visitors Reveal Their Identities

  1. 1

    Demigods like Lord Brahmā and Lord Śiva manifested their own identities before King Rantideva.

  2. 2

    They had presented themselves as the brāhmaṇa, śūdra, caṇḍāla and other visitors.

  3. 3

    These demigods can give materially ambitious people the rewards they desire.

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:

Although these three sons were born of a kṣatriya king, they also achieved the position of brāhmaṇas. The son of Bṛhatkṣatra constructed the city of Hastināpura and was known as Hastī.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.21
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tasyabefore him (King Rantideva)
  2. tri-bhuvana-adhīśāḥthe controllers of the three worlds (demigods like Brahmā and Śiva)
  3. phaladāḥwho can bestow all fruitive results
  4. phalam icchatāmof persons who desire material benefit
  5. ātmānamtheir own identities
  6. darśayām cakruḥmanifested
  7. māyāḥthe illusory energy
  8. viṣṇuby Lord Viṣṇu
  9. vinirmitāḥcreated
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 9.21

    In this verse: “materially”

  • 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

What changes in my understanding of the visitors when their identities are revealed?

Practice

Write one sentence noting who the visitors really were and how they had appeared.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Visitors Reveal Their IdentitiesThis 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 9.21.15? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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