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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
9.4.19.4.3

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.4.2

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 9.4.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

भ्रातरोऽभाङ्क्त किं मह्यं भजाम पितरं तव ।

त्वां ममार्यास्तताभाङ्‍क्षुर्मा पुत्रक तदाद‍ृथा: ॥ २ ॥

bhrātaro ’bhāṅkta kiṁ mahyaṁ

bhajāma pitaraṁ tava

tvāṁ mamāryās tatābhāṅkṣur

mā putraka tad ādṛthāḥ

Translation

Nābhāga inquired, “My dear brothers, what have you given to me as my share of our father’s property?” His elder brothers answered, “We have kept our father as your share.” But when Nābhāga went to his father and said, “My dear father, my elder brothers have given you as my share of property,” the father replied, “My dear son, do not rely upon their cheating words. I am not your property.”

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.

Do Not Rely on Cheating Words

  1. 1

    Nābhāga asked his brothers what share of their father’s property they had given him.

  2. 2

    His brothers said that their father was his share, and Nābhāga brought this statement to his father.

  3. 3

    His father told him not to rely on their cheating words. He clearly stated, “I am not your property.”

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:

When Nābhāga returned home, his brothers bestowed upon him their father as his share, but when Nābhāga went to his father and told him about the dealings of the brothers, his father informed him that this was cheating and advised him that for his livelihood he should go to the sacrificial arena and describe two mantras to be chanted there.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.4
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. bhrātaraḥO my brothers
  2. abhāṅktahave you given as the share of our father’s property
  3. kimwhat
  4. mahyamunto me
  5. bhajāmawe allot
  6. pitaramthe father himself
  7. tavaas your share
  8. tvāmyou
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

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 9.4

    In this verse: “father’s”

  • 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

How do I check a claim before relying on it?

Practice

Verify one claim that affects your responsibilities rather than simply accepting it.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDo Not Rely on Cheating WordsThis 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 9.4.2? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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