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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
9.4.229.4.24

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.4.23

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 9.4.15-16inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

यस्य क्रतुषु गीर्वाणै: सदस्या ऋत्विजो जना: ।

तुल्यरूपाश्चानिमिषा व्यद‍ृश्यन्त सुवासस: ॥ २३ ॥

yasya kratuṣu gīrvāṇaiḥ

sadasyā ṛtvijo janāḥ

tulya-rūpāś cānimiṣā

vyadṛśyanta suvāsasaḥ

Translation

In the sacrifice arranged by Mahārāja Ambarīṣa, the members of the assembly and the priests [especially hotā, udgātā, brahmā and adhvaryu] were gorgeously dressed, and they all looked exactly like demigods. They eagerly saw to the proper performance of the yajña.

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.

Serve With Eagerness and Care

  1. 1

    The members of the assembly and the priests took part in the sacrifice arranged by Mahārāja Ambarīṣa.

  2. 2

    They were gorgeously dressed and appeared exactly like demigods.

  3. 3

    They eagerly attended to the proper performance of the yajña.

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. yasyaof whom (Mahārāja Ambarīṣa)
  2. kratuṣuin sacrifices (performed by him)
  3. gīrvāṇaiḥwith the demigods
  4. sadasyāḥmembers for executing the sacrifice
  5. ṛtvijaḥthe priests
  6. janāḥand other expert men
  7. tulya-rūpāḥappearing exactly like
  8. caand
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

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Do I bring eagerness and careful attention to the worship in which I participate?

Practice

Give careful, undistracted attention to one small task connected with worship today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayServe With Eagerness and CareThis 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 9.4.23? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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