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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 9.4.29

Who is speaking and story frame

आरिराधयिषु: कृष्णं महिष्या तुल्यशीलया ।

युक्त: सांवत्सरं वीरो दधार द्वादशीव्रतम् ॥ २९ ॥

ārirādhayiṣuḥ kṛṣṇaṁ

mahiṣyā tulya-śīlayā

yuktaḥ sāṁvatsaraṁ vīro

dadhāra dvādaśī-vratam

Translation

To worship Lord Kṛṣṇa, Mahārāja Ambarīṣa, along with his queen, who was equally qualified, observed the vow of Ekādaśī and Dvādaśī for one year.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Observe Devotional Vows to Please Kṛṣṇa

  1. 1

    Mahārāja Ambarīṣa and his equally qualified queen observed the vow of Ekādaśī and Dvādaśī for one year. Their purpose was to worship Lord Kṛṣṇa.

  2. 2

    Observing these vows is meant to please the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Those seeking advancement in Kṛṣṇa consciousness should observe Ekādaśī regularly.

  3. 3

    The queen’s equal qualification supported Ambarīṣa’s household life. The purport emphasizes that human life is meant for spiritual advancement and that household life should help this endeavor.

Key points from the purport
  • Therefore it was possible for Mahārāja Ambarīṣa to engage his life in household affairs.
  • Unless a wife is equally as qualified as her husband, household affairs are very difficult to continue.
  • Otherwise there is no need of household life.

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

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:

On Dvādaśī, the day after Ekādaśī, when he was about to break his Ekādaśī fast, the great mystic yogī Durvāsā appeared in his house and became his guest. King Ambarīṣa respectfully received Durvāsā Muni, and Durvāsā Muni, after accepting his invitation to eat there, went to bathe in the Yamunā River at noontime.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.4
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. ārirādhayiṣuḥaspiring to worship
  2. kṛṣṇamthe Supreme Lord, Kṛṣṇa
  3. mahiṣyāwith his queen
  4. tulya-śīlayāwho was equally as qualified as Mahārāja Ambarīṣa
  5. yuktaḥtogether
  6. sāṁvatsaramfor one year
  7. vīraḥthe King
  8. dadhāraaccepted
  9. dvādaśī-vratamthe vow for observing Ekādaśī and Dvādaśī
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “worship”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “household”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can my household routines better support the purpose of pleasing Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Set a reminder today for your next Ekādaśī observance, noting that its purpose is to please Kṛṣṇa.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayObserve Devotional Vows to Please KṛṣṇaThis 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 9.4.29? Get an answer from the verses themselves.