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
9.22.18-199.22.21-24

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.22.20

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 9.22.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

वीरयूथाग्रणीर्येन रामोऽपि युधि तोषित: ।

शान्तनोर्दासकन्यायां जज्ञे चित्राङ्गद: सुत: ॥ २० ॥

vīra-yūthāgraṇīr yena

rāmo ’pi yudhi toṣitaḥ

śāntanor dāsa-kanyāyāṁ

jajñe citrāṅgadaḥ sutaḥ

Translation

Bhīṣmadeva was the foremost of all warriors. When he defeated Lord Paraśurāma in a fight, Lord Paraśurāma was very satisfied with him. By the semen of Śāntanu in the womb of Satyavatī, the daughter of a fisherman, Citrāṅgada took birth.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Bhīṣmadeva Remains Firm in His Vow

  1. 1

    Bhīṣmadeva was the foremost of all warriors. He defeated Paraśurāma, his military spiritual master, who was pleased with him.

  2. 2

    Ambā sought Paraśurāma’s help after Bhīṣmadeva refused to marry her because of his vow of brahmacarya. Paraśurāma instructed him to marry her and fought him when he refused.

  3. 3

    Śāntanu and Satyavatī had a son named Citrāṅgada. Satyavatī was the daughter of Uparicara Vasu and Matsyagarbhā, and she was later raised by a fisherman.

Key points from the purport
  • Satyavatī was actually the daughter of Uparicara Vasu by the womb of a fisherwoman known as Matsyagarbhā.
  • Ambā therefore approached Bhīṣmadeva’s military spiritual master, Paraśurāma, who instructed Bhīṣma to marry her.
  • Bhīṣmadeva refused, and therefore Paraśurāma fought with him to force him to accept the marriage.

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:

Two sons named Citrāṅgada and Vicitravīrya were also born from the womb of Satyavatī by the semen of Śāntanu, and Vyāsadeva was born from Satyavatī by the semen of Parāśara. Vyāsadeva instructed the history of the Bhāgavatam to his son Śukadeva.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.22
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. vīra-yūtha-agraṇīḥBhīṣmadeva, the foremost of all warriors
  2. yenaby whom
  3. rāmaḥ apieven Paraśurāma, the incarnation of God
  4. yudhiin a fight
  5. toṣitaḥwas satisfied (when defeated by Bhīṣmadeva)
  6. śāntanoḥby Śāntanu
  7. dāsa-kanyāyāmin the womb of Satyavatī, who was known as the daughter of a śūdra
  8. jajñewas born
  9. citrāṅgadaḥCitrāṅgada
  10. sutaḥa son
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

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 does Bhīṣmadeva’s refusal to abandon his vow invite me to consider about my own commitments?

Practice

Recall one commitment you have made and take one concrete step to keep it today.

5

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 9.22's connections

Live this todayBhīṣmadeva Remains Firm in His VowThis 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 9.22.20? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories