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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 ›
Canto 9 · Chapter 4: Ambarīṣa Mahārāja Offended by Durvāsā Muni
9.4.309.4.33-35

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Texts 9.4.31-32

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

महाभिषेकविधिना सर्वोपस्करसम्पदा ।

अभिषिच्याम्बराकल्पैर्गन्धमाल्यार्हणादिभि: ॥ ३१ ॥

तद्गतान्तरभावेन पूजयामास केशवम् ।

ब्राह्मणांश्च महाभागान् सिद्धार्थानपि भक्तित: ॥ ३२ ॥

mahābhiṣeka-vidhinā

sarvopaskara-sampadā

abhiṣicyāmbarākalpair

gandha-mālyārhaṇādibhiḥ

tad-gatāntara-bhāvena

pūjayām āsa keśavam

brāhmaṇāṁś ca mahā-bhāgān

siddhārthān api bhaktitaḥ

Translation

Following the regulative principles of mahābhiṣeka, Mahārāja Ambarīṣa performed the bathing ceremony for the Deity of Lord Kṛṣṇa with all paraphernalia, and then he dressed the Deity with fine clothing, ornaments, fragrant flower garlands and other paraphernalia for worship of the Lord. With attention and devotion, he worshiped Kṛṣṇa and all the greatly fortunate brāhmaṇas who were free from material desires.

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.

Worship With Attention and Devotion

  1. 1

    Mahārāja Ambarīṣa bathed the Deity of Lord Kṛṣṇa according to the regulative principles of mahābhiṣeka. He provided all the necessary paraphernalia.

  2. 2

    He dressed the Deity with fine clothing, ornaments and fragrant flower garlands. His worship included careful offerings for the Lord.

  3. 3

    With attention and devotion, he worshiped Kṛṣṇa and the greatly fortunate brāhmaṇas. These brāhmaṇas were free from material desires.

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:

Because Mahārāja Ambarīṣa, as the emperor, was immensely opulent, he performed devotional service with great opulence, and therefore, despite his wealth, he had no attachment to his wife, children or kingdom. He constantly engaged his senses and mind in the service of the Lord.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.4
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. mahā-abhiṣeka-vidhināby the regulative principles for bathing the Deity
  2. sarva-upaskara-sampadāby all the paraphernalia for worshiping the Deity
  3. abhiṣicyaafter bathing
  4. ambara-ākalpaiḥwith nice clothing and ornaments
  5. gandha-mālyawith fragrant flower garlands
  6. arhaṇa-ādibhiḥand with other paraphernalia to worship the Deity
  7. tat-gata-antara-bhāvenahis mind saturated with devotional service
  8. pūjayām āsahe worshiped
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: “devotion”, “worship”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 9.4

    In this verse: “principles”

  • 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

What would help me bring more attention and devotion to my worship?

Practice

During one act of worship today, put aside distractions and give it your full attention.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayWorship With Attention and DevotionThis 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 9.4.31-32? Get an answer from the verses themselves.