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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 24: Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead
9.24.359.24.37

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.24.36

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The sun-godsince 9.24.34inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

तं सात्यजन्नदीतोये कृच्छ्राल्लोकस्य बिभ्यती । प्रपितामहस्तामुवाह पाण्डुर्वै सत्यविक्रम: ॥ ३६ ॥

taṁ sātyajan nadī-toye

kṛcchrāl lokasya bibhyatī

prapitāmahas tām uvāha

pāṇḍur vai satya-vikramaḥ

Translation

Because Kuntī feared people’s criticisms, with great difficulty she had to give up her affection for her child. Unwillingly, she packed the child in a basket and let it float down the waters of the river. O Mahārāja Parīkṣit, your great-grandfather the pious and chivalrous King Pāṇḍu later married Kuntī.

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.

Fear of Criticism Brings Painful Separation

  1. 1

    Kuntī feared people’s criticism and found it very difficult to give up her affection for her child.

  2. 2

    Unwillingly, she placed the child in a basket and let it float down the river.

  3. 3

    Later, the pious and chivalrous King Pāṇḍu, Mahārāja Parīkṣit’s great-grandfather, married Kuntī.

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 24: Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

In her maiden state she gave birth to a child named Karṇa, and later she married Mahārāja Pāṇḍu. Vṛddhaśarmā married the daughter of Śūra named Śrutadevā, from whose womb Dantavakra was born.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.24
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tamthat child
  2. sāshe (Kuntī)
  3. atyajatgave up
  4. nadī-toyein the water of the river
  5. kṛcchrātwith great repentance
  6. lokasyaof the people in general
  7. bibhyatīfearing
  8. prapitāmahaḥ(your) great-grandfather
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

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 9.24

    In this verse: “give up”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 9.24

    In this verse: “feared”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 9.24

    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

How does Kuntī’s unwillingness help you understand the pain behind her action?

Practice

Pause before making a critical remark today, remembering the distress caused by fear of criticism.

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 9.24's connections

Live this todayFear of Criticism Brings Painful SeparationThis 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 9.24.36? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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