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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

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
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 24: Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead

9.24.51 9.24.53-55

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.24.52

Visarga· Brahmā's creation

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:The sun-godsince 9.24.34inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

देवरक्षितया लब्धा नव चात्र गदादय: । वसुदेव: सुतानष्टावादधे सहदेवया ॥ ५२ ॥

devarakṣitayā labdhā

nava cātra gadādayaḥ

vasudevaḥ sutān aṣṭāv

ādadhe sahadevayā

Translation

By the semen of Vasudeva in the womb of Devarakṣitā, nine sons were born, headed by Gadā. Vasudeva, who was religion personified, also had a wife named Sahadevā, by whose womb he begot eight sons, headed by Śruta and Pravara.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Vasudeva Was Religion Personified

1
Vasudeva and Devarakṣitā had nine sons, headed by Gadā.
2
The verse describes Vasudeva as religion personified.
3
Through his wife Sahadevā, Vasudeva had eight sons, headed by Śruta and Pravara.

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

Chapter 24: Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

The four sons of Devaka were known as Devavān, Upadeva, Sudeva and Devavardhana, and his seven daughters were Dhṛtadevā, Śāntidevā, Upadevā, Śrīdevā, Devarakṣitā, Sahadevā and Devakī. Vasudeva married all seven daughters of Devaka.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in chapter 9.24

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

devarakṣitayāby the wife named Devarakṣitā
labdhāḥachieved
navanine
caalso
atrahere
gadā-ādayaḥsons headed by Gadā
vasudevaḥŚrīla Vasudeva
sutānsons

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
Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct
Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 9.24
In this verse: “religion”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does the description “religion personified” shape your understanding of Vasudeva?

Practice

Reread the verse and write down the description it gives of Vasudeva’s character.

Live this todayVasudeva Was Religion PersonifiedThis 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 9.24.52? Get an answer from the verses themselves.

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