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Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

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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 22: The Descendants of Ajamīḍha
9.22.119.22.14-15

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Texts 9.22.12-13

Visarga· Brahmā's creation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 9.22.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

देवापि: शान्तनुस्तस्य बाह्लीक इति चात्मजा: ।

पितृराज्यं परित्यज्य देवापिस्तु वनं गत: ॥ १२ ॥

अभवच्छान्तनू राजा प्राङ्‌महाभिषसंज्ञित: ।

यं यं कराभ्यां स्पृशति जीर्णं यौवनमेति स: ॥ १३ ॥

devāpiḥ śāntanus tasya

bāhlīka iti cātmajāḥ

pitṛ-rājyaṁ parityajya

devāpis tu vanaṁ gataḥ

abhavac chāntanū rājā

prāṅ mahābhiṣa-saṁjñitaḥ

yaṁ yaṁ karābhyāṁ spṛśati

jīrṇaṁ yauvanam eti saḥ

Translation

The sons of Pratīpa were Devāpi, Śāntanu and Bāhlīka. Devāpi left the kingdom of his father and went to the forest, and therefore Śāntanu became the king. Śāntanu, who in his previous birth was known as Mahābhiṣa, had the ability to transform anyone from old age to youth simply by touching that person with his hands.

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.

Devāpi Leaves; Śāntanu Becomes King

  1. 1

    Pratīpa had three sons: Devāpi, Śāntanu and Bāhlīka.

  2. 2

    Devāpi left his father’s kingdom and went to the forest. Therefore Śāntanu became king.

  3. 3

    Śāntanu was known as Mahābhiṣa in his previous birth. Simply by touching an old person with his hands, he could restore that person’s youth.

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 22: The Descendants of Ajamīḍha

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

When Devāpi retired to the forest, his younger brother Śāntanu became the king. Although Śāntanu, being younger, was not eligible to occupy the throne, he disregarded his elder brother.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.22
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. devāpiḥDevāpi
  2. śāntanuḥŚāntanu
  3. tasyaof him (Pratīpa)
  4. bāhlīkaḥBāhlīka
  5. itithus
  6. caalso
  7. ātma-jāḥthe sons
  8. pitṛ-rājyamthe father’s property, the kingdom
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

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 9.22

    In this verse: “father”, “father’s”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 9.22

    In this verse: “kingdom”

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 helps you keep Devāpi’s choice and Śāntanu’s role distinct as you read?

Practice

Write the names of Pratīpa’s three sons, noting which went to the forest and which became king.

Live this todayDevāpi Leaves; Śāntanu Becomes KingThis 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 9.22.12-13? Get an answer from the verses themselves.