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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.
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Canto 9 · Chapter 23: The Dynasties of the Sons of Yayāti
9.23.129.23.14

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.23.13

Visarga· Brahmā's creation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 9.23.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

योऽसौ गङ्गातटे क्रीडन् मञ्जूषान्तर्गतं शिशुम् ।

कुन्त्यापविद्धं कानीनमनपत्योऽकरोत् सुतम् ॥ १३ ॥

yo ’sau gaṅgā-taṭe krīḍan

mañjūṣāntargataṁ śiśum

kuntyāpaviddhaṁ kānīnam

anapatyo ’karot sutam

Translation

While playing on the bank of the Ganges, Adhiratha found a baby wrapped up in a basket. The baby had been left by Kuntī because he was born before she was married. Because Adhiratha had no sons, he raised this baby as his own. [This son was later known as Karṇa.]

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.

Adhiratha Raises a Found Baby

  1. 1

    While playing on the bank of the Ganges, Adhiratha found a baby wrapped up in a basket.

  2. 2

    Kuntī had left the baby because he was born before she was married.

  3. 3

    Adhiratha had no sons and raised the baby as his own. This child was later known as Karṇa.

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 23: The Dynasties of the Sons of Yayāti

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Adhiratha accepted the son rejected by Kuntī, namely Karṇa, and Karṇa’s son was Vṛṣasena. The son of Yayāti’s third son, Druhyu, was Babhru, whose son and grandsons were Setu, Ārabdha, Gāndhāra, Dharma, Dhṛta, Durmada and Pracetā.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.23
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yaḥ asauone who (Adhiratha)
  2. gaṅgā-taṭeon the bank of the Ganges
  3. krīḍanwhile playing
  4. mañjūṣa-antaḥgatampacked in a basket
  5. śiśuma baby was found
  6. kuntyā apaviddhamthis baby had been abandoned by Kuntī
  7. kānīnambecause the baby was born during her maiden state, before her marriage
  8. anapatyaḥthis Adhiratha, being sonless
  9. akarotaccepted the baby
  10. sutamas his son
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 9.23

    In this verse: “baby”, “child”

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 can I learn from Adhiratha’s willingness to care for the baby he found?

Practice

Offer one small act of care to someone who needs help 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 9.23's connections

Live this todayAdhiratha Raises a Found BabyThis 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 9.23.13? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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