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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 3: The Marriage of Sukanyā and Cyavana Muni
9.3.309.3.32

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.3.31

Nirodha· Winding up
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Cyavana Munisince 9.3.12inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

तच्छ्रुत्वा भगवान् ब्रह्मा प्रहस्य तमुवाच ह ।

अहो राजन् निरुद्धास्ते कालेन हृदि ये कृता: ॥ ३१ ॥

tac chrutvā bhagavān brahmā

prahasya tam uvāca ha

aho rājan niruddhās te

kālena hṛdi ye kṛtāḥ

Translation

After hearing his words, Lord Brahmā, who is most powerful, laughed loudly and said to Kakudmī: O King, all those whom you may have decided within the core of your heart to accept as your son-in-law have passed away in the course of time.

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.

Time Changes Our Plans

  1. 1

    After hearing Kakudmī’s words, the most powerful Lord Brahmā laughed loudly before replying.

  2. 2

    All those whom the King had considered as possible sons-in-law had passed away.

  3. 3

    The King’s choices remained within his heart, but the course of time had changed what was possible.

How it feels

Change → Acceptance. The instability of worldly identities is a recurring premise.

Chapters 1–3 of Canto 9: Dynastic origins and domestic transformations. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 3: The Marriage of Sukanyā and Cyavana Muni

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Kakudmī was advised by Lord Brahmā to offer his beautiful daughter, Revatī, to Baladeva, who belongs to the viṣṇu-tattva category. After doing this, Kakudmī retired from family life and entered the forest of Badarikāśrama to execute austerities and penances.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.3
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tatthat
  2. śrutvāhearing
  3. bhagavānthe most powerful
  4. brahmāLord Brahmā
  5. prahasyaafter laughing
  6. tamunto King Kakudmī
  7. uvāca hasaid
  8. ahoalas
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Nirodha · Returning home, back to Godhead

    What happens when everything here comes to an end? · Subject 8 of 10

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 9.3

    In this verse: “hearing”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 9.3

    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 do I respond when the passage of time changes my plans?

Practice

Take a minute to reflect on one plan that has changed with time, and acknowledge what is no longer possible.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayTime Changes Our PlansThis 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 9.3.31? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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