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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 4: Ambarīṣa Mahārāja Offended by Durvāsā Muni
9.4.129.4.14

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.4.13

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Śivasince 9.4.10inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

नाभागादम्बरीषोऽभून्महाभागवत: कृती ।

नास्पृशद् ब्रह्मशापोऽपि यं न प्रतिहत: क्‍वचित् ॥ १३ ॥

nābhāgād ambarīṣo ’bhūn

mahā-bhāgavataḥ kṛtī

nāspṛśad brahma-śāpo ’pi

yaṁ na pratihataḥ kvacit

Translation

From Nābhāga, Mahārāja Ambarīṣa took birth. Mahārāja Ambarīṣa was an exalted devotee, celebrated for his great merits. Although he was cursed by an infallible brāhmaṇa, the curse could not touch him.

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.

An Exalted Devotee Beyond the Curse

  1. 1

    Mahārāja Ambarīṣa took birth from Nābhāga.

  2. 2

    He was an exalted devotee, celebrated for his great merits.

  3. 3

    Although an infallible brāhmaṇa cursed him, the curse could not touch him.

How it feels

Peril and anger → Faith and mercy. The contrast between pride and steadiness becomes clear.

Chapters 4–5 of Canto 9: Ambarīṣa's devotion and Durvāsā's anger. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 4: Ambarīṣa Mahārāja Offended by Durvāsā Muni

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

From Nābhāga was born Ambarīṣa, the most powerful and celebrated devotee. Mahārāja Ambarīṣa was the emperor of the entire world, but he considered his opulence temporary.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.4
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. nābhāgātfrom Nābhāga
  2. ambarīṣaḥMahārāja Ambarīṣa
  3. abhūttook birth
  4. mahā-bhāgavataḥthe most exalted devotee
  5. kṛtīvery celebrated
  6. na aspṛśatcould not touch
  7. brahma-śāpaḥ apieven the curse of a brāhmaṇa
  8. yamunto whom (Ambarīṣa Mahārāja)
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 9.4

    In this verse: “devotee”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What draws my attention most about Mahārāja Ambarīṣa’s exalted position as a devotee?

Practice

Reread the verse and briefly reflect on Ambarīṣa’s devotion and great merits.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayAn Exalted Devotee Beyond the CurseThis 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.

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