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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 9.4.28

Who is speaking and story frame

तस्मा अदाद्धरिश्चक्रं प्रत्यनीकभयावहम् ।

एकान्तभक्तिभावेन प्रीतो भक्ताभिरक्षणम् ॥ २८ ॥

tasmā adād dhariś cakraṁ

pratyanīka-bhayāvaham

ekānta-bhakti-bhāvena

prīto bhaktābhirakṣaṇam

Translation

Being very pleased by the unalloyed devotion of Mahārāja Ambarīṣa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead gave the King His disc, which is fearful to enemies and which always protects the devotee from enemies and adversities.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Lord Protects His Devotees

  1. 1

    Pleased by Mahārāja Ambarīṣa’s unalloyed devotion, the Supreme Personality of Godhead gave him His disc. It protects devotees from enemies and adversities.

  2. 2

    A devotee may not be expert in self-defense but fully depends on the Lord’s lotus feet. Absorbed in the happiness of service, the devotee does not fear adverse situations.

  3. 3

    Kṛṣṇa’s Sudarśana cakra is always ready to protect His devotees. Although Ambarīṣa was fully occupied in devotional service, his kingdom was free from fear of adversity.

Key points from the purport
  • A devotee, being always engaged in the service of the Lord, may not be expert in self-defense, but because a devotee fully depends on the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he is always sure of protection by the Lord.
  • A devotee is always merged in the ocean of the transcendental bliss of rendering service to the Lord.
  • Therefore although Mahārāja Ambarīṣa was fully engaged in devotional service, his kingdom was free of all fear of adversity.

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· 2

The purport of SB 9.4.28 quotesSB 7.9.43

tvad-vīrya-gāyana-mahāmṛta-magna-cittaḥ. A devotee is always merged in the ocean of the transcendental bliss of rendering service to the Lord.

The purport of SB 9.4.28 quotesBG 9.31

The Lord also promises, kaunteya pratijānīhi na me bhaktaḥ praṇaśyati: “O Arjuna, you may declare to the world that the devotees of the Lord are never vanquished.”

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. tasmaiunto him (Ambarīṣa Mahārāja)
  2. adātgave
  3. hariḥthe Supreme Personality of Godhead
  4. cakramHis disc
  5. pratyanīka-bhaya-āvahamthe Lord’s disc, which was extremely fearful to the enemies of the Lord and His devotees
  6. ekānta-bhakti-bhāvenabecause of his performing unalloyed devotional service
  7. prītaḥthe Lord being so pleased
  8. bhakta-abhirakṣaṇamfor the protection of His devotees
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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: “devotion”, “devotee”, “devotional service”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 9.4

    In this verse: “fearful”, “fear”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 9.4

    In this verse: “king”, “kingdom”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How might remembering the Lord’s protection help me remain steady in service during difficulty?

Practice

When a worry arises today, pause to remember the Lord’s protection, then return your attention to one act of devotional service.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

The purport quotesSB 7.9.43

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 9.4's connections

Live this todayThe Lord Protects His DevoteesThis 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 9.4.28? Get an answer from the verses themselves.