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Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

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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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.4.25

Who is speaking and story frame

संवर्धयन्ति यत् कामा: स्वाराज्यपरिभाविता: ।

दुर्लभा नापि सिद्धानां मुकुन्दं हृदि पश्यत: ॥ २५ ॥

saṁvardhayanti yat kāmāḥ

svārājya-paribhāvitāḥ

durlabhā nāpi siddhānāṁ

mukundaṁ hṛdi paśyataḥ

Translation

Those who are saturated with the transcendental happiness of rendering service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead are uninterested even in the achievements of great mystics, for such achievements do not enhance the transcendental bliss felt by a devotee who always thinks of Kṛṣṇa within the core of his heart.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Devotional Service Is Real Perfection

  1. 1

    A pure devotee finds happiness in serving Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Heavenly enjoyment, impersonal liberation and mystic powers do not increase that happiness.

  2. 2

    A devotee’s senses are controlled by being engaged in the Lord’s service. Through this higher happiness, they lose their attraction to material enjoyment.

  3. 3

    The mentality of service distinguishes spiritual activities from material activities. Nothing connected with the Lord’s service should be rejected as material.

Key points from the purport
  • And even though the material world is full of misery, the devotee considers this material world to be also spiritual because everything is engaged in the service of the Lord.
  • When there is no mentality of service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, one’s activities are material.
  • That which is engaged in the service of the Lord is not material, and nothing thus engaged should be given up.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 1

The purport of SB 9.4.25 quotesBG 2.59

Paraṁ dṛṣṭvā nivartate. A devotee’s senses are not attracted by material enjoyment.

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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:

The Supreme Personality of Godhead, however, is always the protector of His devotee, and to protect Mahārāja Ambarīṣa, He sent His disc, the Sudarśana cakra, which immediately vanquished the fiery demon and then pursued Durvāsā, who was so envious of Mahārāja Ambarīṣa. Durvāsā fled to Brahmaloka, Śivaloka and all the other higher planets, but he could not protect himself from the wrath of the Sudarśana cakra.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.4
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. saṁvardhayantiincrease happiness
  2. yatbecause
  3. kāmāḥsuch aspirations
  4. svā-rājyasituated in his own constitutional position of rendering service to the Lord
  5. paribhāvitāḥsaturated with such aspirations
  6. durlabhāḥvery rarely obtained
  7. nanot
  8. apialso
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotee”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 9.4

    In this verse: “material”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How could I use something I already have in Kṛṣṇa’s service rather than only for my enjoyment?

Practice

Spend a few minutes using one ability you have in service to Kṛṣṇa, keeping your attention on pleasing Him.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDevotional Service Is Real PerfectionThis 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 9.4.25? Get an answer from the verses themselves.