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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 23: The Dynasties of the Sons of Yayāti
9.23.179.23.20-21

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Texts 9.23.18-19

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 9.23.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

दुष्मन्त: स पुनर्भेजे स्ववंशं राज्यकामुक: ।

ययातेर्ज्येष्ठपुत्रस्य यदोर्वंशं नरर्षभ ॥ १८ ॥

वर्णयामि महापुण्यं सर्वपापहरं नृणाम् ।

यदोर्वंशं नर: श्रुत्वा सर्वपापै: प्रमुच्यते ॥ १९ ॥

duṣmantaḥ sa punar bheje

sva-vaṁśaṁ rājya-kāmukaḥ

yayāter jyeṣṭha-putrasya

yador vaṁśaṁ nararṣabha

varṇayāmi mahā-puṇyaṁ

sarva-pāpa-haraṁ nṛṇām

yador vaṁśaṁ naraḥ śrutvā

sarva-pāpaiḥ pramucyate

Translation

Mahārāja Duṣmanta, desiring to occupy the throne, returned to his original dynasty [the Pūru dynasty], even though he had accepted Maruta as his father. O Mahārāja Parīkṣit, let me now describe the dynasty of Yadu, the eldest son of Mahārāja Yayāti. This description is supremely pious, and it vanquishes the reactions of sinful activities in human society. Simply by hearing this description, one is freed from all sinful reactions.

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.

Hearing Yadu’s Dynasty Purifies

  1. 1

    Although Mahārāja Duṣmanta had accepted Maruta as his father, he returned to the Pūru dynasty because he desired the throne.

  2. 2

    The narration turns to the dynasty of Yadu, the eldest son of Mahārāja Yayāti.

  3. 3

    This description is supremely pious and vanquishes the reactions of sinful activities. Simply by hearing it, one is freed from all sinful reactions.

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:

Mahārāja Duṣmanta was anxious to have his kingdom returned, and so he went back to the Pūru-vaṁśa. Of the four sons of Yadu, Sahasrajit was the eldest.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.23
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. duṣmantaḥMahārāja Duṣmanta
  2. saḥhe
  3. punaḥ bhejeagain accepted
  4. sva-vaṁśamhis original dynasty (the Pūru dynasty)
  5. rājya-kāmukaḥbecause of desiring the royal throne
  6. yayāteḥof Mahārāja Yayāti
  7. jyeṣṭha-putrasyaof the first son, Yadu
  8. yadoḥ vaṁśamthe dynasty of Yadu
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

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 9.23

    In this verse: “hearing”, “narration”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 9.23

    In this verse: “father”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 9.23

    In this verse: “sinful”

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 might knowing the purifying value of this description change the attention you give it?

Practice

Read this translation aloud slowly, giving special attention to its promise about hearing Yadu’s dynasty.

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 todayHearing Yadu’s Dynasty PurifiesThis 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 9.23.18-19? Get an answer from the verses themselves.