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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 4: Ambarīṣa Mahārāja Offended by Durvāsā Muni
9.4.139.4.15-16

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.4.14

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:King Parīkṣitsince 9.4.14inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

श्रीराजोवाच

भगवञ्छ्रोतुमिच्छामि राजर्षेस्तस्य धीमत: ।

न प्राभूद् यत्र निर्मुक्तो ब्रह्मदण्डो दुरत्यय: ॥ १४ ॥

śrī-rājovāca

bhagavañ chrotum icchāmi

rājarṣes tasya dhīmataḥ

na prābhūd yatra nirmukto

brahma-daṇḍo duratyayaḥ

Translation

King Parīkṣit inquired: O great personality, Mahārāja Ambarīṣa was certainly most exalted and meritorious in character. I wish to hear about him. How surprising it is that the curse of a brāhmaṇa, which is insurmountable, could not act upon 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.

Eagerly Hear About an Exalted Devotee

  1. 1

    King Parīkṣit recognized Mahārāja Ambarīṣa as most exalted and meritorious in character.

  2. 2

    He expressed his wish to hear about Ambarīṣa.

  3. 3

    He was astonished that a brāhmaṇa’s insurmountable curse could not act upon Ambarīṣa, and he asked how this happened.

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:

Nābhāga executed the order of his father, and thus Aṅgirā and other great saintly persons gave him all the money collected in that sacrifice. To test Nābhāga, Lord Śiva challenged his claim to the wealth, but when Lord Śiva was satisfied by Nābhāga’s behavior, Lord Śiva offered him all the riches.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.4
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śrī-rājā uvācaKing Parīkṣit inquired
  2. bhagavanO great brāhmaṇa
  3. śrotum icchāmiI wish to hear (from you)
  4. rājarṣeḥof the great King Ambarīṣa
  5. tasyaof him
  6. dhīmataḥwho was such a greatly sober personality
  7. nanot
  8. prābhūtcould act
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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 9.4

    In this verse: “king”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 9.4

    In this verse: “inquired”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Do I approach accounts of exalted devotees with genuine eagerness to hear?

Practice

Before continuing your reading, pause and form one sincere question about Ambarīṣa’s character.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayEagerly Hear About an Exalted DevoteeThis 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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