1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

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

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 9 · Liberation · 24 chapters

123456789101112131415161718192021222324

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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
9.22.12-139.22.16-17

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Texts 9.22.14-15

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 9.22.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

शान्तिमाप्नोति चैवाग्र्यां कर्मणा तेन शान्तनु: ।

समा द्वादश तद्राज्ये न ववर्ष यदा विभु: ॥ १४ ॥

शान्तनुर्ब्राह्मणैरुक्त: परिवेत्तायमग्रभुक् ।

राज्यं देह्यग्रजायाशु पुरराष्ट्रविवृद्धये ॥ १५ ॥

śāntim āpnoti caivāgryāṁ

karmaṇā tena śāntanuḥ

samā dvādaśa tad-rājye

na vavarṣa yadā vibhuḥ

śāntanur brāhmaṇair uktaḥ

parivettāyam agrabhuk

rājyaṁ dehy agrajāyāśu

pura-rāṣṭra-vivṛddhaye

Translation

Because the King was able to make everyone happy for sense gratification, primarily by the touch of his hand, his name was Śāntanu. Once, when there was no rainfall in the kingdom for twelve years and the King consulted his learned brahminical advisors, they said, “You are faulty for enjoying the property of your elder brother. For the elevation of your kingdom and home, you should return the kingdom to him.”

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Respect the Elder Brother’s Right

  1. 1

    Śāntanu received his name because he could make people happy for sense gratification, primarily through the touch of his hand.

  2. 2

    After twelve years without rainfall, he consulted learned brahminical advisors. They told him to return the kingdom to his elder brother for the welfare of his kingdom and home.

  3. 3

    The purport explains that one cannot enjoy sovereignty or perform an agnihotra-yajña in the presence of one’s elder brother. Otherwise, one becomes a usurper, known as parivettā.

Key points from the purport
  • One cannot enjoy sovereignty or perform an agnihotra-yajña in the presence of one’s elder brother, or else one becomes a usurper, known as parivettā.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

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:

Consequently, there was no rainfall for twelve years. Following the advice of the brāhmaṇas, Śāntanu was ready to return the kingdom to Devāpi, but by the intrigue of Śāntanu’s minister, Devāpi became unfit to be king.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.22
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śāntimyouthfulness for sense gratification
  2. āpnotione gets
  3. caalso
  4. evaindeed
  5. agryāmprincipally
  6. karmaṇāby the touch of his hand
  7. tenabecause of this
  8. śāntanuḥknown as Śāntanu
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 9.22

    In this verse: “king”, “kingdom”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 9.22

    In this verse: “sense gratification”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 9.22

    In this verse: “welfare”

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 willing am I to hear advice that challenges my claim to something?

Practice

Check whether something you are using belongs to someone else, and return it if appropriate.

Live this todayRespect the Elder Brother’s RightThis 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 9.22.14-15? Get an answer from the verses themselves.