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

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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.22.35

Who is speaking and story frame

तवेमे तनयास्तात जनमेजयपूर्वका: ।

श्रुतसेनो भीमसेन उग्रसेनश्च वीर्यवान् ॥ ३५ ॥

taveme tanayās tāta

janamejaya-pūrvakāḥ

śrutaseno bhīmasena

ugrasenaś ca vīryavān

Translation

My dear King, your four sons — Janamejaya, Śrutasena, Bhīmasena and Ugrasena — are very powerful. Janamejaya is the eldest.

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.

Four Powerful Sons

  1. 1

    The king had four sons: Janamejaya, Śrutasena, Bhīmasena and Ugrasena.

  2. 2

    All four sons are described as very powerful.

  3. 3

    Janamejaya was the eldest of the four.

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:

From Abhimanyu, Mahārāja Parīkṣit was born, and Mahārāja Parīkṣit had four sons — Janamejaya, Śrutasena, Bhīmasena and Ugrasena. Next Śukadeva Gosvāmī described the future sons of the Pāṇḍu family.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.22
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tavayour
  2. imeall these
  3. tanayāḥsons
  4. tātamy dear King Parīkṣit
  5. janamejayaJanamejaya
  6. pūrvakāḥheaded by
  7. śrutasenaḥŚrutasena
  8. bhīmasenaḥBhīmasena
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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 9.22

    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

Can I distinguish the eldest son from his three brothers?

Practice

Read the four names aloud once, then name the eldest without looking.

Live this todayFour Powerful SonsThis 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 9.22.35? Get an answer from the verses themselves.