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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
9.4.379.4.39-40

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.4.38

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 9.4.15-16inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

मुहूर्तार्धावशिष्टायां द्वादश्यां पारणं प्रति ।

चिन्तयामास धर्मज्ञो द्विजैस्तद्धर्मसङ्कटे ॥ ३८ ॥

muhūrtārdhāvaśiṣṭāyāṁ

dvādaśyāṁ pāraṇaṁ prati

cintayām āsa dharma-jño

dvijais tad-dharma-saṅkaṭe

Translation

In the meantime, only a muhūrta of the Dvādaśī day was left on which to break the fast. Consequently, it was imperative that the fast be broken immediately. In this dangerous situation, the King consulted learned brāhmaṇas.

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.

Seek Learned Guidance When Duties Conflict

  1. 1

    Only a muhūrta of Dvādaśī remained for breaking the fast. The King needed to act immediately.

  2. 2

    The King recognized that this was a dangerous situation concerning his religious duty.

  3. 3

    Rather than deciding without guidance, he consulted learned brāhmaṇas.

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:

Mahārāja Ambarīṣa, however, upon seeing that the time to break the fast was passing, drank a little water, in accordance with the advice of learned brāhmaṇas, just to observe the formality of breaking the fast. By mystic power, Durvāsā Muni could understand that this had happened, and he was very angry.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.4
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. muhūrta-ardha-avaśiṣṭāyāmwas remaining only for half a moment
  2. dvādaśyāmwhen the Dvādaśī day
  3. pāraṇamthe breaking of the fast
  4. pratito observe
  5. cintayām āsabegan to think about
  6. dharma-jñaḥone who knows the principles of religion
  7. dvijaiḥby the brāhmaṇas
  8. tat-dharmaconcerning that religious principle
  9. saṅkaṭein such a dangerous condition
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

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

    In this verse: “religious”, “duty”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

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

    In this verse: “dangerous”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 9.4

    In this verse: “king”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

When a duty becomes difficult or urgent, do I seek qualified guidance?

Practice

Write down one question about a religious duty that you would like to ask a knowledgeable guide.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySeek Learned Guidance When Duties ConflictThis 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.

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